Evan is walking!

Evan took his first steps on March 23, 2009 all by himself.  He is 1 year and 3 weeks old.  :)

The Joy of Birth

Source by Snow-Bird

http://chensnowbird.blogspot.com/2009/03/blog-post.html

It was 12:53 p.m., March 2nd, 2008, you came to this world. You barely cried. Three hours later, two pairs of grandparents, your mom’s brother, your dad’s brother, his wife, and their son crowded the small recovery room. They held you in their arms; they whispered happiness to one another; no one could take eyes off you. The whole time you slept like an angel. The room was bathed in serenity and happiness.

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean in Taiwan, the four great-grand-parents watched you on the computer screen, the phone line was saturated with their joy, because your arrival put 30 of their closest kins one level up in the family trees. Could your 9-year old auntie and 10-year old uncle understand the significance of a new life?

Your grandpa came back from a business trip last night. He couldn’t wait to put on his favorite red sweater to pose for a picture with you; he couldn't wait to put the picture on his blog. Your grandma sent your pictures to her close friends. They all envied her--such a young grandma! She sat at your bed with a book in her hand, holding your little finger and watching you sleep, she was serenely content. No wonder her friends are envious. Wanting to let your mom and dad have some needed rest, your uncle watched over you; he could'nt wait to teach you Aikido, to teach you a few tips on how to protect yourself when you fall. Your dad, a week ago a timid novice in caring for a baby is now a happy expert. Your mom cannot stop staring at you, cannot stop saying, “He’s so cute! He’s soooo cute!”

Your parents have setup a fund for your education and are planning to take you to the Kite Festival. They cannot wait to immerse you in their lives. Such a lucky baby you are, arriving at awaiting loved ones.

Eighty years ago in Taiwan and in America eight babies were born. By pure chance they formed four families; three generations followed. Your arrival at 12:53 p.m. on March 2nd started another new generation. You will grow up in American culture although you carry genes bearing English, German, Japanese, and Taiwanese characteristics. The joy of birth is substantiated in the torch being passed to the new generation. I hope all this joy gives you the curiosity of learning; I hope that through you all those characteristics in your genes grow up in happy harmony.

a bad case of stinky pants

From a funny book that I'm reading (recommended by my mom):

Chapter 38: Why Don't Toddlers Seem to Smell Their Own Stinky Diapers?

It's amazing that something that looks so good can smell so bad.  The average toddler with silky hair, big shining eyes, and cherub body can scare off even the bravest diaper-changing eligible adult with a bad case of stinky pants, and yet carry on playing, chattering, and giving hugs and kisses as if there's not a thing in the world going on back there. 

Could it be that they don't know?

confidence?

Evan can stand up all on his own!  He does it more and more every day now, like yesterday I saw him stand for like what seemed like forever, maybe 30 seconds! before sitting down on his butt.  At his doctors appointment last Friday, he measured in at 21 pounds 4oz, only the 25%tile for weight, but the 75%tile for height.  So he's tall and skinny, how can this be?  He does NOT look 'skinny.'  So funny.  But that does explain why he's grown out of his onesies so fast!  The doctor also said that he should have the ability to walk in the next few weeks, it's all about how much confidence he'll have in actually doing it.

I've gotta get going on getting Evan a passport.

Evan hates getting his teeth brushed....ooohh, I'm nervous about this!  What about early childhood caries!? ah!  The dentist in me is very scared.

I've learned that parties are not really for 1 year old toddlers.  Toddlers get tired, and overwhelmed easily, especially when there are lots of people.  Poor Evan was really excited and sleep deprived, a deadly combination.  But we had a great (if not exhausting) time!

first word!

Just a few days shy of his 1st birthday, Evan said his first word.  It's 'bye,' but it sounds more like, 'ba-y.'  He's said ma-ma and da-da before but he just babbles them and doesn't know what they mean.  But when you wave to him and say "bye bye," he'll wave and say it right back!!!!!  OMG everything is starting to click in amazing ways.

an amazing time

I can't believe how much Evan is learning everyday.  Yesterday my mom taught Evan how to play with this toy, in the way that it's meant to be played with.  You put a ball through the polar bear's mouth and it rolls down a track with spinney things and then it lands in the ball catcher.  Previously Evan liked to spin the things and throw the balls all over, but yesterday he actually put the balls in the bear's mouth!

Yesterday when I came home from work, I took him upstairs with me and we were looking in the mirror.  I was waving to him and he waved  too, smiled big and said, "da da."  Cute!  Then during dinner he saw his reflection in the window and he waved at himself!  It was SO cute.