Xander Goes to Europe

It's been a busy for for past 6 months. So much has happened and I want to share the highlights. Xander is almost 2 years old. We can't call him a baby anymore, he's a walking, talking little man.
Xander first experience jumping in the bounce house and he loved it. There was a basketball hoop inside and he loves shooting the ball into the hoop. It was a challenge to get him out. Speaking of basketball, we bought him his very own basketball hoop. It's taller than me and now lives in our livingroom. That's what I call, "love".

Xander still loves wearing his hats and has a large collection. He gets his fashion sense from Wil. Xander seriously loves all sports and you'll often find Xander carrying his golf club around. Sometimes, we go on walks or rides in the wagon and Xander has the golf club glued to his hand. He can actually hit the golf ball.


We went on our 1st Chooey-Chea vacation with Grandpa and Grandma Chooey. We went to Paris, London and Manchester in June 2011. Xander's 1st international trip. We're not counting Vietnam since he was still inside my belly at the time.

Xander is wearing the official Manchester United football uniform. He's training now in hopes to make the team.
Xander had a lot of firsts this year. This was his first time on a merry-go-round. He enjoyed riding the horse but when the ride started, he wanted off. haha!

This is what Xander looked like most of the trip, sleeping with his blankie which he calls, "Gow Gow." In Chinese, that means sleep. We bought 3 of the same blanket just in case we lose them. Let's just say, we only have 2 now.

We went on a day river cruise in London and saw all the major sights. We saw Tower Bridge in the photo below which by the way we learned is not London Bridge. London Bridge is flat and not as interesting looking but it has burned down several times hence the song.

This is the London Eye, it's a huge ferris wheel. Xander loved the boat ride and said, "Wow!" to everything.
Xander sleeping again as we visited Big Ben and the Parliament. If Xander wasn't sleeping he was watching Micky Mouse Clubhouse on our iPhones. It was a lifesaver throughout the trip. Good tip for new parents.


It was great being able to travel with Grandpa and Grandma Chooey. Great time for bonding with Xander while experiencing amazing sights like the Eifle Tower.


We also went on a river cruise in Paris. It was hot weather when we went and it was great seeing Paris from the La Sine River.


We also took a trip out to Chinon, France where Grandpa Chooey was stationed when he was in the army. We hired a driver and guide to show us around the castles and fortresses. It was beautiful and surprisingly the highlight of the the trip. It was great seeing Grandpa Chooey so happy.

Beautiful countryside in Chinon, France.

Xander's New Tricks:
-He can shoot a ball in the basketball hoop
-He can sing the first part of Happy Birthday
-He can sing the first part of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
-He can say his ABC's but only up to D.
-He can count up to 10 but not always in order
-He has 2 more baby teeth to come in


It's been a great year so far and we look forward to celebrating Xander's 2nd birthday. Hope you enjoyed this blog update. The holidays are coming up and there will be much more to share.

Until next time...

Almost 1 1/2 Years Old

Happy Easter Everyone!

Xander has been busy and I wanted to update the blog with some fun photos. As you can see, Xander has been hunting for colorful plastic eggs in his fancy basket that Grandma Chooey gave him. He absolutely loved looking for eggs which he called, "Ball Ball!"

We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with Xander's best buds. From left to right, Xander, Kai, Nate, Ayden and Taelyn.The kids had a great time at the aquarium and after we did a big Easter Egg Hunt. Did I mention that when he found a plastic egg, he would break them open to see what goodies were inside. That's why Xander only found 10 eggs. Slowly but surely.

Inside the aquarium, there were fun activities for smaller kids. This water fountain/play area made Xander a very happy kid. Needless to say, we had to change his wet clothes. Splash! Splash!

Wil and I went to Monterey for our Babymoon (vacation before the baby is born). I was 9 months pregnant and waddled around the small town. I think I had to sit down every block to take a break. Just a reminder, I was carrying an 8lbs baby in my belly. So it was great coming back with Xander!

Everything in the water was "Fish." He loves water so this was the perfect place for him.

We also went to a few kid's birthday parties and Xander had a great time. You can see him playing with the instruments, dancing around, smiling and shaking his grove thang.

We knew that Xander loves his sports but we just found out that he loves watching anything with a ball on TV. We went to a restaurant sat down in the back and Xander yelled out, "Ball Ball!" Yup, there was a TV in the front of the restaurant with the basketball game on. Xander has been also busy watching the Giants game. He loves saying, "Go Giants!"

Yeeee Ha! We went to a birthday party in Half Moon Bay. Can you guess the theme of the party? Xander not only rides in a car but also a real pony. He wasn't afraid, I was surprised. Actually, I was a little scared of the live animals. lol

New Tricks:

-Walking down the stairs with help from Mommy

-Swinging a foam baseball bat

-He can spot a balloon, baseball game or dog from a mile away

-Says Please and Thank You

It's been a great 1 1/2 watching Xander grow. It's amazing how it went by so fast! I know I say that all the time but it really did. Hope you have been enjoying Xander's Blog.

More to come...

Let It Snow...Almost 16 Months Old

Our little Chooey-Chea family went up to South Lake Tahoe a few times this season. There was plenty of snow for Xander to play in. About 10-12 inches of snow piled up. It's amazing how much Xander liked walking and playing in the snow. He would laugh every time he touched the snow. We take Xander everywhere we go and we want to him to experience as much as possible.

Wil bought Xander snow mittens and he had a hard time keeping them on. He wanted to touch the snow with his own chubby little fingers.

Wil and I are hoping that Xander will learn how to snowboard soon. He seemed to like the snow disc when he sledded down. I was surprised that he didn't get scared.
Look at my lil man. He's not a baby anymore. Well, when he's hungry, he still cries loud like a baby. LOL.

I actually pushed him down this mini snow hill on the sled. That's our little snow man. All these photos show him sitting but Xander has been walking a lot. He started walking a little before his 1st birthday. Now, he's running. We took him too the playground at the mall and he was all over the place. There were tons of kids and he was not shy at all. He went through the small tunnel, inside the clubhouse, up the small stairs, down the slide (with my help of course). And back around the same routine about 100 times. He had so much fun!

Xander just started coloring with crayons. He's enjoying it. He's also tasting the crayons once in awhile. We're working on it.

In addition to walking and running, Xander is talking so much now. Here's some of the words that he's expressing so far:

-Ma Ma

-Da Da

-Uncle (that is his favorite)

-No (actually, that is his favorite)

-Apple

-Hi (He does a little head tilt and flirts with that one)

-Nai nai (milk in Cantonese)

-Fish (We had some pet fish that Grandpa Chooey bought. Let just say, they are swimming some where else now)

-Mum Mum (for food)

-All done (when he's done eating his and my food, lol)

-Bye bye (and blows kisses)

-Much more...

We love Xander so much! I'm obsessed with showing everyone and anyone photos/videos of him. I tickle him and it makes us both laugh. He is the best part of my day. XOXO

More to come...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Family and Friends!

Xander is 13 months old. We had a very busy holiday going to lots of parties. It was so good seeing everyone.

For the past 3 years, we have been taking family portraits with Wil's parents, Brother, Sister-in-law and nieces. Its so nice to have the three of us to document these holiday moments. Xander was well behaved during the professional photo shoot.

This is the 1st year that we've had a Christmas tree in our house in Alameda. Xander really enjoyed the ball ornaments as any kind of balls (golf, inflatable, baseballs, etc.) are his favorite. We were not able to put any ornaments on the bottom of the tree because Xander would pull them off. haha!

One of our favorite things to do is dress up Xander like an adult. As you can see, Xander and Wil are twins. Matching hats, shirts, jeans and shoes. I still think Xander looks like me most of the time.

Xander's New Tricks:

-Walking all over the place

-Drinking cow's milk (6oz)

-New favorite word, "No" all the time. Example, Bernie is trying to eat Xander's food. Xander says, "No, no gaw gaw!" Gaw Gaw is big brother is Cantonese.

We can't wait for the new adventures in 2011.