Godma and Uncle Justin's visit

Dear Izzy,

You had an awesome time when Godma and Uncle Justin came for a visit. We went to sooo many places with them...shopping, dinners, to the beach, Godma joined us at your dance class etc. It was a week of activities!

It was great having Godma and Uncle Justin visit. The next time you see them will be in January!

Love, Mom

Dinner at Lawry's prime rib house. As usual, you were being all cute and the waitress gave you free food and ice cream!

At the beach! Our last beach day of the summer...

Mommy's Birthday!

♪ ♫ Happy Birthday to Mommy, Happy Birthday to Mommy, Happy Birthday to Mommy...Happy Birthday to me! ♫ ♪

Dear Izzy,

It's Mommy's birthday today, and what a wonderful way to spend it then to spend it with my 2 most favorite people in the world, you and Daddy! What a year Mommy had...being a mom is really the best thing that has ever happened to me. Parenting is an amazing journey and there is nothing quite like it...especially being a Mommy to you, Izzy!

I love you and thanks for being such a good girl today!

Love, Mom

At Johnny Rockets for Mommy's birthday lunch

Practice Run: Flower boy and girl

Oh you guys are so cute!

Back in LA

My little Jetsetter,

We are back in LA and oh how much did you miss all your toys? A LOT! The moment we got back to the house, you ran right to your ball pit, jumped in it and hugged all your stuffed animals! It was awesome. You played for 1/2 hour even though you were dead tired and went to bed around 10 pm. So back to our normal schedule of playdate, outings and maybe some preschool classes!

Love, Mom

16.5 months

Mommy needs to find a way to get Father Time to slow down! You are 16.5 months today and are a ball of energy. Seriously, the more I look at you, the more Mommy wonders where the little tiny dependent baby went to? You are this feisty, demanding and totally independent little girl. You no longer want to be carried, mostly wanting to go wherever you want to go.

You are starting to string 2 words together. Your first word string is "no more". Whenever you finish eating something, you sign and you say "no more". You are also a stuffed animal lover. When we go shopping, you often beeline to the stuffed animal corner and hug all the animals. You will also usually pick a stuffed bear and walk around the whole store. When we have to go, Mommy tells you to put the "bear bear" back because he lives in the store. Sometimes you throw a fit because you want to take him home with you! You enjoy riding on Mommy's back, whenever I am laying on my belly, you come and sit on my back and press a "button" (which is anywhere on my back) to tell me to start to giddy-up.

Mommy and you flew into Vancouver by ourselves today. Mommy felt like supermom carrying you in the ergo, one hand pulling our 50 lb luggage, the other hand wheeling the carseat and lugging a heavy carry-on luggage on my shoulder. I think I was carrying at least 50 lbs on my body, half of my own weight! People were clearing a path for us when we were walking through. You were so good on the plane, although I think you might have peek-a-booed to death the 3 passengers sitting behind us. An old couple sat beside us and the grandma was so in love with you! She even helped carry you a couple of times...you really charmed her. After playing, you fell asleep in Mommy's arms for about 1.5 hours, you didn't even wake up when the flight landed...we were the last ones off the plane because Mommy had to eventually wake you up! Thank you for being such a good girl!

Love, Mom

My happy little frequent flyer

Beach Day @ Manhattan Beach

Dear Izzy,

There is no doubt in my mind you will be a surfer one day. You really love the ocean...ever since you were born, you fall asleep with the sound of waves crashing on the shore on your sound machine. And today, your first visit to the beach, you had no fear of the water...even though the water was freezing cold and the waves were big at times, you just wanted to be in the ocean. You were yelling and screaming when we took you out and back to Godpa's house!

You are a true California girl at heart!

Love, Mom

Memorial Day in San Diego

Dear Izzy,

Daddy took us on a mini vacation in San Diego for Memorial Day. It was such a beautiful weekend...the weather was perfect and we stayed at a gorgeous hotel!

You did well on our first road trip. The drive to San Diego was about 2.5 hours but on our way there, we stopped for lunch and then proceeded to the resort.

You had lots of fun at the pool and sand pit. Although it was supposed to be a relaxing mini vacation, taking care of a toddler on vacation is not a vacation at all! When Daddy came back to LA, he had to go for a massage because you were too much for him to handle...hahaha. Mommy said that he should try doing it everyday with no help, then he'll know how I feel!

All it all, it was a great trip. Summer in California is beautiful and there are many other resort towns that we will have to visit!

Love, Mom

Adventures in Toronto

Thank you for being a good girl on our trip, Izzy. For the most part, you were your cheeky little self. Mommy knows how much you value your sleep and when it gets interrupted, you can get quite cranky! But even with the time difference, the bad/missed naps, you were still quite well-behaved, well, for Izzy's standard anyways.

You did well on the plane ride there and back and we have to really thank Uncle Andrew who flew with us from YVR to YYZ. He helped entertain you on the plane and with our luggages because Mommy had so many things we had to bring with us. I think you scared him with the amount of snacks that you ate on the flight!

You had a lot of fun in Auntie Evelyn and Frank's house...playing in their beautiful yard, climbing up and down the stairs and terrorizing everyone in it. The first 2 days we were there, we visited the malls. The third day, Mommy and Izzy ventured out downtown to meet up with one of Mommy's ex-co-worker and her girls. We had a great time! We even met up with Mommy's ex-boss!

Izzy's new obsession...STICKS!

Izzy with her instant girlfriends, Ryleigh (left) and Madison (right)

The next day, we went and saw Daddy at his competition at the culinary school. You were sooo happy to see Daddy because you hadn't seen him for about 3 weeks. Daddy was also delighted to see you. We went there to support Daddy and he did GREAT! Just for you, Daddy won the right to represent Canada in the 2013 Bocuse d'Or to be held in Lyon, France. We will be there to cheer Daddy on!

Izzy running down the halls of the culinary school with Kimberly

Champion Daddy and baby finally reunited!

Since you've been such a good girl and traveler, Mommy is confident to take you on more trips now.

Love, Mom

Progress...

Hi Izzy!

Daddy hasn't seen you in a week now and he misses you so much. You've progressed so much since he last saw you! Here's a video taken just a few days after leaving LA. You can walk so fast and far. Everyday when we talk to Daddy, he asks us if you are walking all over the place now, he has no idea! Daddy will be surprised at the improvement you have made so far!

Love, Mom

Back in Vancouver

Izzy,

We are back in Vancouver again! You travel so much, the airlines should give you frequent flier miles.

Mommy had a tough time controlling you this trip. Since learning how to walk, you now want to walk everywhere and we can't keep you contained anymore! At the airport, waiting for our flight, you were all over the place. You went up to a few people on their laptops because you like computers, you went to say "hi" to a woman and her baby, Jackson, you walked up to the window to check out the planes...you were one busy girl! Mommy thought you would be wiped out by the time we boarded the plane but noooo...you were still a ball of energy! Luckily Ah Ma was with us on the trip and helped entertain you on the flight. As usual, you didn't sleep on the plane until 30 mins before we landed.

In 2 weeks, we will fly to Toronto to support Daddy in his competition. This time we will be flying alone...just you and I. Mommy is already having anxiety...both for Daddy and our flight!

We are going to have a great time in Vancouver. Mommy has researched a few programs that we want you to participate in and we'll catch up with lots of friends!

Love, Mom

13.5 months

Dear Izzy,

So your cough and runny nose have made it hard for you to sleep through the night. You occasionally wake up as you are unable to breathe through your nose and it's hard to breathe through your mouth because you are sucking on your soother. Poor baby...I hope you start getting back in your sleep schedule because it definitely affects your mood in the morning...oh and not forgetting Mommy's mood too!

You have learned to kiss Mommy. After seeing Daddy give Mommy good morning kisses, you brought your face in close to mine but didn't know what to do after so Mommy gave you a peck on your strawberry lips. It's so endearing because you aren't very affectionate otherwise as you are one very independent girl!

You really love to eat whatever mommy eats...even if it's the same thing you are eating! I guess it tastes better if it comes off Mommy's plate and spoon than your own. How funny. Ah Ma has also started training you to eat spicy food. She made fried radish cake the other day and put some chili in it and you ate all of it and even wanted more! You are starting to get picky in regards to what you eat...or I think maybe you don't want to be fed anymore. You would rather feed yourself. So Mommy is now doing research on what foods Daddy can cook you that you can feed yourself with...instead of the usual dishes he makes you which require a spoon to be eaten.

Walking around is now one of your favorite things to do! You are getting better and better at it everyday. Nowadays when we go out, like to the mall, you no longer want to sit in your stroller. You would rather walk around. So Mommy has to hold on to both of your hands and walk you around the mall. You get so proud and excited too! The other day at the mall, you were screaming "YAY!" when we were walking around. You're a big girl now!

Love, Mom

On our way to the park!

She loves the playground.

Izzy always wants to "walk" now...

Happy Easter, Izzy!

You've come a long way! Look at how much you've grown...

This is your first Easter that you we able to enjoy! We went to an Easter Egghunt party on Friday and you had a great time with your little friends. Mommy put on your Hello Kitty tunic dress for you and you carried your Hello Kitty Easter basket to the party. You picked up so many Easter eggs containing so many goodies inside. Then we sat on the picnic mat under the tree and had a great potluck picnic. Mommy made hazelnut cupcakes with Nutella buttercream frosting...yummm. It turned out well! Mommy can make those for your future school events! Mommy is starting to get the hang of the whole Suzie homemaker thing and I am starting to enjoy it...hahaha.

On Easter Sunday you got an Easter basket from Mommy and Daddy containing a whole bunch of new toys...all Hello Kitty! You had yourself a fabulous Hello Kitty Easter!

Love, Mom

Mommy's cupcakes

Izzy looking for Easter eggs

Mommy & Izzy

Brunch for 3!

Izzy,

You are getting so big now that Mommy and Daddy have to order you food off the kid's menu. Daddy was so tickled by this when we went to brunch. No longer do you share off our plates but you get your very own meal! Your first ordered meal at Morels French Bistro today was Grilled Cheese sandwich with Aged Chedder and Granny Smith apple slices. But it seems you are a fast food addict...you wanted french fries! But you did eat half of the sandwich and some apples.

At the restaurant, you also captivated the interest of a much older boy. Mommy always thought that older kids (older than 5) usually don't have that much interest in little babies but you caught his attention and he shared his french fries with you the whole time.

I see the makings of a heartbreaker already...but don't grow up too fast!

Love, Mom

Grilled aged chedder cheese sandwich with Granny Smith apple slices

Fast foodaholic

Izzy and her much older friend

Playdates and Playground

Izzy,

You really know how to have fun. And since you are now so interactive, Mommy has been taking you to the playground and also to more playdates. You enjoy playing with other kids, although a lot of times, it seems you are quite bossy! But you are good with sharing, taking turns and you are very gentle when playing with others. Mommy can tell that you also like playing with older kids. You keep up with them very well and are even able hold your own. Wait till you are able to walk and run, you'll probably be running circles around everyone!

And the other day when Mommy took you to the park and got over the fear of you getting dirty, it was the very first time you played on the sand! You were very curious about it and even tried eating sand but since it tasted yucky, you spat it out - thank God! But I guess that's how you learn. Mommy could see some tomboy traits because you really loved playing with the sand truck. After playing in the sand, we went to the slide castle and played in it...you slide down the slide belly down a few times and loved the adrenalin rush! You have also learned to climb down stairs feet first and Mommy was so proud that you remembered all the lessons we taught you at home!

We'll try to do playdates once a week and playgrounds more often, OK?

Love, Mom

Izzy hosted a playdate...

...and shared her toys so well!

At the Dress-up playdate, playing with older kids

She totally felt comfortable with them!

Playing in the sand for the first time!

Happy 1st Birthday, dear Izzy!!

♪ Happy Birthday to you ♫ ... ♫ Happy Birthday to you ♪ ...
♪ Happy Birthday dear Isabelle ♫... ♫ Happy Birthday to YOUUUU ♪!

Isabelle,

I think you heard this song about 20+ times today! You like it so much that everytime Mommy or Daddy starts singing it, you begin to clap excitedly.

You woke up today all smiles and extra happy...I think you knew that it was YOUR day. Mommy and Daddy had a special day all planned out for you! We took you to the L.A. Zoo. Mommy figured that it would be a great place to take you to because you LOVE to look at different animals. At home here, you are always on the look out for cats, dogs and squirrels when we take Zoë for her walks.

You had a BLAST at the zoo! We took a tram ride around the zoo and when we finally got off to check out the animals, you were really curious. We only had time to go to a few exhibits and your favorite one was the komodo dragon. We also came really close to the giraffes...they are such magnificent animals!

The zoo is so huge and we didn't get to finish looking at all the different animals. But don't worry, Mommy and Daddy got you a 1-year membership so we can return anytime! Looks like we will be spending the summer at the zoo this year!

When we got home, you were pooped and fell right asleep. And when you woke up, we had another mini-celebration! You got to eat some leftover birthday cake from your party. You couldn't wait to dig in but had to listen to another round of "Happy Birthday".

We hope you had a great 1st year and a great birthday. Although you will not remember this day, we hope that you will have lots of fun looking through all these photos when you are bigger.

Love, Mom & Dad

Happy 47 week birthday!

Izzy, Izzy...we've been busy busy!

This past week, we went to a Kindermusik class and also to check out a daycare by our place. You enjoyed Kindermusik class alot! You were showing some of your dance moves to the teacher and your classmates and the moms found you hilarious! You love those egg shakers so Mommy went to buy a couple for you to play with at home.

Huntley Preschool by our house had an open house this weekend. So we all went to check it out. It's a small school with only about 12-14 kids enrolled. They have different schedules we can pick from i.e. full time (all 5 days, all day) or part time (2 or 3 days or half days) You were not too sure of the place. But Mommy and Daddy got all the information and we will have to check out more schools before we decide which one to send you too.

You are starting to get picky with what you want to eat...seems like you always want to eat what Mommy is eating. You have also started to understand the meaning of control and what food you eat can quickly become a control issue. So Mommy has started giving you choices and not push you to eat a certain food if you don't feel like it. It's really funny because you shake head for "no" to what you don't want and start pointing to what you want!

You are starting to know how to give and try to share things with Mommy. When Mommy asks you for something you have in your hand, most of the time, you'll give it to me. How sweet...

Your top right lateral incisor broke through your gum this week so now you have 6 teeth! I think the bottom ones are not far behind because you are starting to drool like a dripping tap again.

You have finally started saying "mama" or is it "mum mum"? You say it mostly during meal time so maybe you are asking for food. But Mommy would LOVE to think that you are calling out to me. I love you too, my little sweet pea!

Love, Mom

Look at how tall you are now!

Baby Gym Class

Izzy,

We went to a trial baby gym class today! Mommy is trying new activities everyday to see which would tire you out so you can nap better during the day because ever since we came back from Vancouver, you've been back to your bad napping habits of only napping 30-45 mins at a time.

So you had fun at the baby gym class. There were so many toys and equipment to play with! We did some gymnastics, rode on the swing, on the rocker and swam in the ball pit. You enjoyed playing on the equipment a lot but when it came to story, rhyme and circle time, you couldn't sit still and wanted to crawl and cruise around! The other babies sat nicely in their Mommies laps and listened to the teacher but Mommy was chasing you around the gym.

We are home and after Mommy fed you, we put you down for your nap. We'll see what happens...hopefully you sleep for longer than 45 mins today!

Love, Mom

First time in a ball pit...you started sinking like quick sand and didn't know what to do!

Izzy mesmerized by the bubbles

Goodbye Vancouver, Hello LA

We are going home today, Izzy. We were supposed to leave on Friday but Daddy didn't get enough of Vancouver so we decided to stay a couple more days.

You had an awesome time in Vancouver...you had a few playdates with your mini-friends, Kaiden and Maika, sampled a good variety of Vancouver's food, celebrated Christmas and New Year's, went shopping every chance we had and most importantly of all, spent lots and lots of time with Ah Kong, Ah Ma and Godma. They are certainly going to miss you!

Our plane ride back to LA was a late one and by the time we reached home, it was already 11pm and you were dead tired!

Mommy hopes you keep up your holiday sleep schedule of sleeping at around 7:30-8pm and waking up around 8am!

Welcome back to warm and sunny LA, baby.

Love, Mom

Sunday Brunch with the extended family

Champion Traveler

Dear Isabelle,

Thank you so much for being such a good girl on the flight today! You were a champion traveler, Mommy was surprised but oh-so-grateful. You fell asleep during take-off and landing and played with the passengers in between. You were playing peek-a-boo with a 2 year old girl named Emily, who was sitting in front of us. You ate well while in the boarding lounge and on the plane and was in such a good mood.

Mommy is proud of herself too. We managed a huge luggage, a stroller bag, your car seat in the stroller base, a hand carry, a diaper bag and a baby all by ourselves with minimal help! We would not be able to do it with Zoë though...that would be too many beings to keep an eye on. This proves to Mommy that we are able to travel alone so maybe we will do more trips in the future, just you and I.

Our plane ride by ourselves was a success and thank you again for being a good girl. You are definitely growing up!

Love, Mom

On the plane en route to YVR

Isabelle and Friends

Hey Izzy,

We went to 2 playdates in the last 2 days. You are starting to make little friends! You had such fun and Mommy had a good time watching you interact with your little friends. You guys are hilarious! We will make sure to go to more of these playdates next year as you are at the stage where you enjoy playing/watching/interacting with babies your age (and plus you sit nicely in the carseat now).

Love, Mom

From left to right: Payton (12 months) , Nicole (8.5 months), Devin (9.5 months, his birthday is 1 day after Izzy's!) and Isabelle

"Hi, my name is Payton...and you are...?"

From left to right: Nicole, Isabelle and in the background with the cutest devilish smile, Devin