Sunday, July 29, 2007

Pics of the day





Vienna 'reading' quietly.






Vienna's joining cirque du soleil.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Pic of the day


Bottle FREE

yes, that's right, we are now bottle free---yippeee! their dentist would be thrilled.

it took almost 2wks and really wasnt that painful. there was no crying or whimpering for the bottle (even for the night one).

in my opinion, they never seem attached to it, but more for the convenience---faster flow with the bottle. they drank cold milk fm the straw cup when they turned one, but it was SLOW going. literally, it would take 20min for just 3oz.

to speed things along, we would resort to giving them the bottle. but 2 nights ago, they started gulping down their milk fm the straw cup. bye-bye bottle.

i think it did help starting them early on the straw cups at 9mos. i'm not a big fan of the sippy, since it mimics the bottle with liquid pooling in the mouth, which can cause tooth decay.

the girls still get milk twice daily, with breakfast and dinner---and watered down juice for their two lunches. yup, they eat 4x a day along with 2 snacks. i dont want them running on empty, now that they're so much more active.

eric says they eat better than us. yesterday, they had pancakes for breakfast, rotisserie chicken and veggies for lunch(es) with fruit dessert and buttered pasta for dinner.

they drink about 12oz of milk total. i think the recommended consumption is 16-20oz for needed calcium at this age. but calcium can also come in yogurt, fortified oj, cheese, etc, which they also get.

only babies drink from a bottle, not toddlers (-:


enjoying their grilled cheese lunch today

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Yogurt is good

practice using spoons with yummy yogurt. mommma's all about self-sufficient (-:





Saturday, July 21, 2007

Pics of the day

Laurel would sleep on her stomach, but this is the first time I've seen her w/butt in the air. Now she and Vienna actually have something in
common!

The 2nd pic, she wanted to hang out (squeezed) in the toy bin right before bath time. Funny girl.

The babies have left the building

Come on in TODDLERs!




Vienna started walking right around her 1st bday. Two weeks later, Laurel followed.

Since I was pretty laid back about their walking, my mom decided they WILL learn to walk ASAP. She had Laurel doing laps every morning during our vacation. Gramma truimphs!

BTW, their first walking shoes is a carter's brand. a knock off of roobeez, but at half the price. get them at BJ's for $10.

Isabelle and Chloe's Baptism

We attended my cousin daughters, Chloe & Isabelle's baptism this morning. We tried getting a pic of both set of (toddler) twins----what were we thinking?

For better pics of the Nguyen twins, ck out their website.





Tuesday, July 17, 2007

We're back!

Why we loved loved loved our Outer Banks vacation:

- the beach clean sand and clear waters (not icky like the northern atlantic ocean). not overly crowded. the further south you go, the more 'private' the beach. we were at the north end in Corolla, considered the more 'developed town'---but still very relaxed and family-oriented. the water was cold at first, but warmed up mid week.

- the house comfortably slept 3+ families, walking distance to the beach (our wagon did come in handy for pulling the girls), biking distance to groceries stores, restaurants, movie theatres, mini golf and rides. we were even able to even catch a movie while the girls slept.

- the house pool we went fm beach to pool to cool off. who doesnt love to splash in a pool on a hot summer day, esp a kid. the big kids enjoyed it too, marco polo anyone?

- the neighborhood lake was a special treat. almost every night, the kids wanted to go feed the turtles crumbs. duy, thuy and noah fished---no fish, only one turtle and poor noah was accidentally hooked. but that didnt keep him fm wanting to fish more!

- family time we gambled (of course), ate lots of ice cream, played some board & video games or just hung out. some kiddy tidbits we got to know. noah showing off his speedy backstroke. mia doesnt have toddler taste when it comes to food---bring on the spicy noodles and grilled pork chops. anna saying 'it good? in a swedish accent, and already has some diving skills. joshua, let's just say, has a LOT of personality. and lindsey is one eating machine!

the Outer Banks, come to relax and only 5 hours away! We're definitely going back next year!



Saturday, July 07, 2007

The twins are ONE!

12 Fun Twin Facts

1) Vienna has become a mamma's girl. Even if poppa is holding her, she'll still want momma. Cause you know, momma's more fun (-:

2) Vienna can understand commands w/out gestures. She gives momma kisses upon request. Gramma D taught her 'rub your tummy'....and so on.

3) Vienna started sleeping on her tummy, with butt in the air. Alot of babies do this, but when your own does it, it's reallllllly cute.

4) Laurel loves to walk holding your hand. She'll loop around and around and around.

5) Laurel has perfected her sit-n-spin defense mechanism against Vienna (who's a tad more aggressive). Think basket-ball court moves.

6) Laurel likes her space. Sometimes Vienna just has to touch her and she'll throw a fit.

MS. Sensitive.

7) Laurel will touch her chin when she's shy, unsure or pensive.

8) Vienna is our little monkey. She loves to imitate, esp poppa, who doesnt always teach her 'proper, ladylike' behavior. Just ask her to make 'the face'.

9) Sometimes, after making Laurel cry, Vienna will pat Laurel's head to make nice.

10) The temper tantrums have started. Laurel will spread out on the ground, kicking her legs. Vienna will growl and scream LOUD. Lots of drama over here.

11) Vienna will say thank you or 'xhi xhi' when you hand her objects. Isnt that chinese?

12) Laurel has a couple of birth marks. A small, brown circle on her right shoulder and i think a 'Mongolian' purplish mark on her left buttocks. Not sure if the latter will eventually fade.

Stats

Weight V at 16lb 11oz , L at 18lb 9oz

Sleep Still 7:30PM to 7AM with two naps at 10AM and 2:30 PM, lasting 30-1hr.

Feedings Every four hours. V 6oz entree jar with 2.75 oz dessert; L the same, sometimes an extra helping of veggie.

Snacks at 9:30 and 2PM (before naps) of crackers, cheese or fruit and watered-down juice.

Bottles (7-10oz) of formula in the morning and last thing at night. After our vacation next week, the goal is to go cold turkey on formula and bottles.

Teeth V now has two upper to match her two lower. L still zilch (!) I'm nervous they're all gonna come at once ----OwwIE.

Verbal about the same as 10 mos.

Motor V walks and stands from sitting on her own. L still needs alittle support--but she's close behind. And with gramma Vu on the trip, she doesnt stand a chance.

Fav Toy V: rolling around in ball pit and bouncing on the zebra. L: her stick bunny and steaming rolling over people.

They are our first and last. Let them not grow up too fast!

    Friday, July 06, 2007

    Smash-a-lapooza

    Happy Bday My Sweet Darlings!

    We made it ---now where's our reward (-:

    What an incredible ride of a year. Everyday, you both continue to amaze us. Everyday, your munchkin faces makes us smile. Everyday, we love you more and more.

    OK, I'll stop the gush now. Enjoy their 1st bday cake smash pics. Video, stats and fun facts to follow.

    Hopefully, I can get the video (not a mushy montage i promise) posted before our vacation to the outer banks next week!



    Cool Slideshows!

    Tuesday, July 03, 2007

    Pretty in Pink (Eyes)

    Vienna got her first real illness, pink eyes. And from the nanny---of all people---my bet was on another kid!

    Here she is in good spirits even with gloob all over her itchy eyes.

    We didnt even have to bring her in for a dr's visit (and shell out the $25 after-hrs co-pay). They diagnosed her over the phone---green, crusty eye pus needs little explanation. Within an hour, we had the antibiotics on and working its powers. Now after 2days, we're out of the contagion period and Laurel (and us) is bacterial free. Kaiser ROCKS.

    Actually, both girls havent had ANY infections or fevers in their first yr. Only Laurel would get a runny nose whenever she's exposed to large crowds (mostly at parties). Ppl like to touch and hold her, she gives off the 'cuddles me' vipe, hehehe. Cant even credit the immunity-wonders of breast milk since momma nursed for a grand total of about 2weeks, must be good genes and low germs exposure (knocking on wood)!

    Below the girls are hanging out in the sandbox at Radcliffe Park this past Sunday. Our first time to this park. It pretty much has everything from toddler (low to the ground) to big kid playgrounds, covered pavilion with grills and a huge sand box. The bathrooms are a bit of a hike, but other than that, its a great park ....hmmm, could be next yr's bday party spot.

    Last but not least, Happy 3rd Bday Lotus! We had a nice (Dora the Explorer) celebration at gramma D's house on Saturday. Urgh, no pics thou, cause i forgot to bring the camera.

    Our 3rd family bday party in a row, the girls are becoming social belles.