Week 11

Emily started to suck her fingers, especially her index finger. I'm not sure whether this is the phase that all babies go through, or just because Emily didn't have a pacifier. Sometime the sucking sound was so loud that we could hear it in the dining room while she was in our bedroom. On 21st at around 3:40pm, Emily was playing with the nipple of the bottle. I laughed at her. She laughed back! It scared me at first since I didn't expect that. I laughed again (just to make sure) and she laughed back again! That was the first time she laughed. She also learned to use her hands to push the bottle away when she was full. Sunday after church, I tried to clip her finger nail. Just when I was proud of myself that I hadn't cut her skin yet, I suddenly heard a cry - I cut Emily's index finger! This week David and I had our first anniversary. We celebrated the most wonderful year of our life together. Here are a few fun pictures of Emily:
(More pics are at http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=qu0dq1t.76h9lmx5&x=0&y=e6h3q2&localeid=en_US )




























































"Parents are gardeners - planting the seeds of faith, truth, and love that develop into the fairest flowers of character, virtue, and happiness in the lives of their children." - J. Harold Gwnne, author

Week 10

This week Emily began to go through the sleep training. We've been putting her down for naps or sleep when she was half-awake or full awake. 60% of time she will manage to fall asleep. 40% of time she still needs our comfort. But that's a big improvement for her. She plays more and more and sleeps less and less. When she sleeps, noise doesn't bother her that much any more. She enjoys her swing and the activity gym. She smiles and talks to all the animals on them. She began to drink 4 oz and sleeps for 6 hours stretch.

Week 9

This week's highlights are:

Mrs Alice invited all of us to her house for a dinner on Monday night. George and Carolyn were her guests too. The menu was exactly the same as the dinner party I had in her house four years ago. It was the first time that we took Emily out in the evening. She was cranky all the time. We don't blame her. It way passed her bed time and she was over-stimulated by so much noise and activities.

Tuesday Emily tried the Aqua swing. She liked it. She began to notice the fish and seahorse. Nadia came to visit in the evening. She was amazed at how much Emily changed in one month.

Wednesday Grandpa and Grandma left for China. We all got up early to send them off. It was an emotional day for everybody. David and I had to adjust to the life without help again. But we were thankful that we got five weeks help. Emily did super great! She played on her own when I needed to eat or get away from her. She even sat in her swing to watch us eating dinner. David said it was like a switch in her was just turned on. She was so easy on us.

Thursday we had 2-month checkup. Emily got A+ from her doctor again: her weight was 11 lb 12 oz (75%); her height was 23.8 in (97%); her head was 16.5 (>97%). She had two shots on her thighs. But she only cried for one second. We were so proud of her!

Friday night we went to La Hacienda Mexican restaurant for dinner. I worried that it was her bed time again. But she was so quiet the whole evening. She really is a sweet-heart!

Saturday we took her to KBToys and bought some great toys. KBToys is out of business. So everything is 50-70% off. We were very happy about our purchase for Emily. By the way, we bought toys for ourselves too - a new computer since the old one stopped working.

Sunday we attended the first service and a special class about the returning missionaries. Emily did so well that everyone couldn't stop looking at her. She didn't even make any noise. She watched and listened like a big girl and fell asleep during the last five minutes. In the afternoon we took her to Friendspeak. She became the center of everyone's attention. She met so many people and she smiled to many of them. We know she is very loved!

During Friendspeak, Louella's reader came to say Hi to Emily. She told me that she saw Mary Snow this morning. I asked how. She said her friend asked her to go to church with her this morning. So they went to Farmer's Branch and met Mary there. After Friendspeak, Louella told me that her reader wanted to come to church next Sunday. She has invited her reader many times before but she never came. She was amazed at a friend's influence. That reminded me of the story of four friends taking their sick friend to Jesus. I pray that everyone will have a real good Christian friend who can take them to meet Jesus - the ultimate friend we need ...

8 weeks

It's been six weeks since the last post. So many things happened and I barely had time to process everything. But one thing is common: I totally enjoyed everyday with Emily. She has grown so much. Here are a few highlights of the past six weeks:

Week 3: Thanksgiving holiday with Grandpa Jack, Aunt Amy, Uncle Kendall, Cousin Chloe, and Presley; Visitors during this week: Nikki and Matt and Cole, Randy R., Lori and Billy, Brian W. , Richard, Cathy and Annabelle. Emily was active in the morning. She began to wear 6-month clothes.

Week 4: Emily began to turn her head from one side to the other in the bassinet. She began to do the feet push ups with David. She grabbed the rattle for the first time. She liked to sleep on her tummy. When she was full, she learned to push out the nipple with her tongue. She turned her head from one side to the other during the tummy time. Her umbilical cord fell off. She began to smile back and follow the sound and objects consciously. She had her first coughing and yawning. She started bringing her hands to mouth. She had her first bath. Grandpa and Grandma came from China. This week's visitors are Jenny and Eric (they brought a painting with Emily's name for her bedroom); Gayla; Jean Ann; Bivi and Martha; Angela and Tavi; Leslie F.; Amy and Nathan.

Week 5: Emily had her one-month checkup and got A+ from her doctor. She weighed 9lb 10 oz. (50-75%) Her length was 22.5 in. (90-95%). Her head was 90%. This week Emily started wooing back and talking and smiling. She went to the church for the first time. Began to use size 1 diapers. Her fists began to open and she started tasting her fingers. Emily started to sleep for four hours stretch. She loved reading her books and talking to the characters in the books. Her favorite toy was the red mouse rattle that Angela and Tavi bought her. Visitors this week were Kathy and her dad; Robert and Gail.

Week 6: We had the Christmas photo session. Emily went with us to a grape orchard in Grapevine. She also attended her first Chinese church service. She was more sleepy than before - guess this was her growth spur. Visitors this week were: Kun and his wife; Shawnda; Jean Ann.
Week 7: First Christmas!!! Grabbed toys and brought to her mouth. Slept for 5 or 6 hours stretch. Slept on her right side. Visitors were Grandpa Jack, Aunt Amy, Uncle Kendall, Cousin Chloe, Presley, Greg and Shannon and their two kids, Joyce. Watched the Christmas lights at Deer Field. Visited Home Depot. Her neck can support her head now. Her favorite painting is the fruit (of the Spirit) picture in the kitchen.

Week 8: Welcome 2009! Visited Fort Worth (Stock Yard). Had dinner with Leslie at Houstons. Had bad constipation. Doctor suggested to change formula to Good Start. Had lunch with Tom at Fogo De Chao. First tears rolled down the cheek because of bowl movement pains. Visited Yuemei's family and Pam's family. Visitors this week were Tony and Suanna and their two kids. Emily can stand on my hand for a few seconds now. She loves her crib mobile.


Here are a few pictures:

A Video of Emily and mobile:

The first talk recorded on Dec. 10, 2008

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!!!