Happy 45 week birthday

Dear Izzy,

45 weeks already! Your top left lateral incisor came in a week ago and now the top right is not far behind it. Altogether now you have 5 and a 1/2 teeth. And you find it really funny to bite down on Mommy when we check and clean your mouth!

Since we switched you over to a straw sippy cup, you've been very independent and you like to hold the cup and drink from it on your own. So now at mealtimes, you frequently point to your sippy cup to signal thirst and Mommy gives it to you to hold yourself. Baby doesn't need Mommy anymore...

You are a very inquisitive learner. Mommy has heard on a few occasions you saying, "whazis?" while pointing to an object. Coincidence? Of course Mommy begs to differ! Your other favorite word is "okay", usually said after Mommy asks you to do something. It's so cute!

Since you get to crawl everywhere in the house, you have taken an interest in playing and even once, sampling Zoë's water and food. You go to Zoë's water dish and "splash splash splash" like you do in the bath. By the time Mommy found you, your clothes were all wet and there was water ALL OVER the floor! And the other time, Mommy found you chewing on Zoë's half-eaten cookie!!! Yikes! But since you have gourmet tastebuds, you spat it out instantly. This will teach Zoë not to hide cookies around the house anymore!

So what other trouble are you going to get into next week? Hmmm...we shall see!

Love, Mom

Going after Zoë's food again...

Isabelle's First Christmas

Dear Izzy,

We celebrated your first Christmas today. We went to the 9 am Christmas mass in the morning before your AM nap. Then after your nap, we had our present opening ceremony. You got a lot of presents for a little girl celebrating her first Christmas! Mommy has to leave some of my own stuff here to bring home all your presents! What a lucky girl you are, so many Uncles and Aunties love you!

After that, we went for dim sum and you entertained everyone at the table with a new dance. Not sure where you picked that up from but it was really hilarious! After lunch, we came back home in time for your PM nap. You slept like an angel again...you've been doing so well for the past week!

See, it definitely pays to be a good girl because Santa brings lots of presents to good girls!

Love, Mom

Yay! Presents for Izzy...

Miss Claus and Santarina

Goodbye Ah Ma & Ah Kong

Dear Izzy,

Ah Ma and Ah Kong left to go back to Vancouver today. You had so much fun with them and they were so much help to Mommy. Mommy finally got all our boxes cleared and we just have a few other small loose ends to tie up but our apartment finally feels like home now. With Ah Kong's help and Daddy's brilliant idea, we got our TV centered on the wall and our electronics all hooked up. Now you watch Ni Hao, Kai-Lan in stereo! They took Zoë home with them because you and Mommy are going back in December to celebrate Christmas there. Daddy can't come with us so Zoë had to go with Ah Ma and Ah Kong so it will be easier for Mommy and you to travel.

I am sure you can't wait to see them and your little Zoë next month!

Love, Mom

Debut: The Adventures of Izzy & Zoë!

The beginnings of a wonderful friendship!





I can't wait to see what else is in store...

Happy Birthday Zoë!!

Zoë turns 7 today, Isabelle! In dog years, that's about 49 years old...she's older than all of us! Zoë is one of the best dogs we ever had. Mommy used to have another dog, she was a silky terrier and her name was Duchess. Duchess was a smart dog too...but Duchess was more of a sibling. Zoë is Mommy's fur-baby just like you are the human-baby!

We hope that you and Zoë will grow up to be good friends. We can already tell that Zoë is starting to be quite fond of you. She brings you her soccer ball once in a while and is always kissing you now! You are also getting more and more aware of your Zoë. You smile when she darts around the room like a crazy woman. You love it because now you see her, then you don't, then you see her again! It's like magic!

Mommy can't wait till both you and Zoë start interacting more. I am sure that there will be opportunities to record many funny videos...the adventures of Izzy & Zoë!

Love, Mom

Zoë's Hair

Dear Isabelle,

Since you are in the stage of grabbing things like Mommy's and Zoë's hair, we have decided to give Zoë a haircut! Because sometimes we find Zoë sitting beside you on the couch motionless, we go in to have a closer look, and you have a chunk of her hair in your hand! You are lucky that Zoë is so mild-tempered with you! She is such a good fur-sister!

With her new haircut, Zoë looks like she's 5 years younger! She's like a little baby puppy now.

Love, Mom

Izzy & Zoë on the couch together again!

Before...

After!

Zoë loves the bump!

Hi Belle,

Your fur sister, Zoë, absolutely LOVES the bump! Well, she loves MAKING USE of the bump actually. She uses it to prop herself up to look out the window when we go for car rides. Another 5 more weeks (+/- 2 weeks) and she will no longer have her "car seat"! What a smart puppy right? And oh, she loves to sleep cuddled close to the bump...I think she can't wait to meet you!

Love, Mom

Using the bump

Just cruisin'...

Having breakfast at Kings Road Cafe

Your fur sister

Dear Peanut,

Do you sometimes feel like someone is using Mommy's belly as a trampoline? If you do, that would be your fur sister. Her name is Zoë and she is a Yorkshire Terror. She will be almost 7 when you get to meet her. Zoë likes to bounce on Mommy's belly, especially when we are riding in the car.

Zoë still doesn't really get what is going on. She knows that there is something different with Mommy but she can't figure it out. But she has been a really good girl though. She is always by Mommy's side on the weekends when Mommy is glued to the couch. She used to sleep in the bedroom by herself but lately, she's been tucked into Mom's chest while we lay on the couch to watch movies.

When you meet Zoë, you might think she looks a little different from the photo because I think we are going to give Zoë a puppy cut. She has really long and beautiful hair but as you grow in mommy's belly, it will be very difficult for me to give Zoë her spa day every weekend. So, for everyone's sake, Mommy thinks the next time we see the groomer, we will give Zoë a new do!

I think the both of you will get along very well because Zoë loves kids, they taste great (but not in that way!).

Love, Mom