The CD changer is NOT a slot machine!

Izzy,

Seriously now, why do you like to destroy stuff?! We were in the car and you were playing in the drivers seat when you found a quarter and slid it into the CD changer slot. Both Mommy and Daddy saw it just hovering there and gingerly tried to get it out...but once we had our fingers on the slot, we both saw the coin fall into the CD changer. URGHHHHH!!! And now it's broken.

Daddy had to take it back to the dealership to get it removed...and guess how many coins they found in there?! FIVE! This means that you've done it before! It cost us $150 to remove the coins and this $150 goes on your tab! Don't forget you once threw Mommy's brand new iPhone into the pool too...

Naughty, naughty girl.

Merry Christmas!

Merry 2nd Christmas, Izzy!

It's a quiet Christmas this year because we are celebrating in LA with Daddy. Last year, we celebrated with Ah Ma, Ah Kong and Godma. But Mommy thinks that we should do alternate years so Daddy gets a chance to spend Christmas with you too.

We had a great Christmas morning where we all sat by the Christmas tree and opened presents. Then we went off to Christmas morning mass.

Merry Christmas, Izzy...you were a good girl this year!

Love, Mom

Santa came and dropped off the presents the night before Christmas...

Christmas party at school

Happy 22 months birthday!

Dear Izzy,

22 months have gone by just like that! Your vocabulary is definitely growing by the day and your comprehension is even better. You understand every SINGLE word Mommy and Daddy says so we really have to be careful about what we say around you.

You also enjoy repeating words, even if you can pronounce it properly, you'll repeat it with a similar inflection. You like to tell me about the parts of your body and you also sing a whole lot...a lot of your songs are very much in tune, I must add! Mommy's very proud of you.

Love, Mom

My 2 babies...

Christmas Shinanigans and Activities

Dear Izzy,

The Christmas season is upon us! One of my favorite holidays...even more so now because I, as the matriarch, get to make new traditions for our little family. This year we are staying in LA since we went to Vancouver for Christmas last year. I think it's only fair that Daddy gets to spend Christmas with you every other year even though he's usually super busy.

Anyway, we started December putting up our tree. Well, Mommy and Daddy did because you are still too young to help out. But you really loved it when you saw the tree in the morning! We also had a mini family photoshoot. Mommy loves to do photoshoot once in a while because you grow up so fast and I want to capture you at all your stages in your life.

We also did a Christmas brunch with Auntie Janet and Uncle Jeff. There was so much food to eat but you only wanted to eat cupcakes! You really do have a sweet tooth. Mommy had a great idea on what to get Daddy for Christmas so we went to Color Me Mine and painted a HUGE coffee mug for Daddy. You painted it all by yourself and was so proud of your artwork! I think it came out very well.

There was a Christmas parade on the Venice canals and we went there as a family to watch it. What a great day! There were also a couple of Christmas playdates which we attended: Gingerbread house playdate and Christmas caroling day at the adult day care center. You had a blast at both of them!

Wow, it was a busy December and December is not even over yet. Christmas is only a few days away!

Love, Mom

Chen family Christmas tree

Mini photoshoot

Christmas brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel

Painting at Color Me Mine

Watching the Christmas parade on the Venice canals

Christmas parade

Building your gingerbread house

Musician in the making

I love that you are so musically inclined...



Love, Mom

21.5 month

Izzy, Izzy, Izzy...

You have started to make a lot of excuses to stall for time, especially before bedtime! You ask for milk, cheerios, your cat, this and that. WOW, Mommy and Daddy have to learn to stop giving into your demands and just put our foot down! Soooo sneaky...

You also know and have started calling people and your friends by their name. It's really cute to see you call your friends by their name and vice versa. You're totally a little person now!

Love, Mom

21 month Baby Wellness Checkup

We went in for your 21 month Baby Wellness Checkup at Dr. Scott's office today. Your stats are:

• 21.8 lbs 6%tile
• 33 inches in height 55%tile
• 47.5 cm head circumference 62 %tile

Dr. Scott is happy with your weight gain but he also did say that he doesn't see you being on the heavy side. You definitely have a high metabolism! You did very well at your appointment today. You got 2 shots - your 2nd flu shot and the hepatitis A. You cried but only for a little while. I know, it doesn't get easier but it's for your own good!

The next time we see Dr. Scott will be when you turn 2!

Love, Mom

Reading a book while waiting for Dr. Scott

Ah Ma's birthday

Dear Izzy,

It's Ah Mas's birthday today! So what do you do? You made her a card and choose a present from the store for her. How cute! We hope Ah Ma has a great birthday and we'll see her very soon!

Happy Birthday, Ah Ma!

Love, Mom