A-R-C-H-I-E That's the way you spell Archie!

I'm so proud of my little buddy for learning to spell his name. I am enjoying being able to teach him a rather eclectic mix of things that he's interested in at this age without being worried about if he's behind or ahead of the other kids. He recognizes all his letters, their sounds (I think), numbers 1-9 but he can count much higher, and one of my friends mentioned that two year olds can memorize how to spell their names so I thought, "Why not?" He's not as interested in Chinese characters at the moment so we've backed off them although I'm trying to keep reviewing what he already knows. I'm pretty sure he's going to be a lefty like Grandma DeJ. He's likes tracing one's and he has learned to draw baby Grace by himself. (Ok, it's faintly recognizeable as a circle head inside an oval body with two dots and no mouth but sometimes random scribbling on the outside.)


I think he pee-pee portion of potty training is now complete. He takes the initiative to tell us when he has to go. I still welcome suggestions for poo-poo training, though. Here's my latest poll: how old was your kid when they were feeding himself with a spoon? (Archie can kind of do this, but it's easier if we do and he gets the food faster so we've been kind of lazy in this area of training.) And, when did your kid start dressing him/herself? I'm trying to figure out if I need to up my diligence in getting him to dress himself.

Where time inside and time outside meet: Happy 9 months!

Wow! It's hard to believe we've finally known Grace for as long on the outside as we did on the inside. (And, believe me when I say I much prefer knowing my babies outside my stomach to inside- hehe!)

This has been a month of SUPER rapid change for Grace (who now tips the scale at a dainty 17 pounds).
Here's what she can do:
1. Army crawl anywhere she wants and fast. (Don't be fooled by the cute pic below of her up on all fours. Belly crawling is her preferred mode of transportation.)
2. Get into a sitting and standing position all by herself. Yep, she just started pulling up on furniture, our bodies, pretty much anything she can get her hands on. Pretty good at it, too.
3. Cruise around holding furniture but this, as her most recent skill, is also her slowest.
4. Eat table food. Second kid. I am sure I am feeding her way more of whatever happens to be at the table than I did with Archie.

No one knows a girl like her mommy. Here's a few interesting things Mommy has noted:
1. Two teeth. (Maybe.) One's a definite and I think I see the other front lower chopper breaking through.
2. She still sleeps best when swaddled. Pretty amazing since she prefers sleeping on her side.

She loves her brother! See the big grin when he hugs her.

Playing under the table is really lots of fun! The feet belong to their Asian grandma (our beloved house helper) who is trying to eat her lunch.

Happy nine months. We love you, Gracer!

Where's that come from?

My friend put some pics he'd taken over the past year on my USB the other day. I think this one must've been made around December. Not sure what our little guy is so upset about, but that look is just too pitiful. Can't believe his little life was quite that bad. What a face!

While we're on the food theme (note the stuff dripping from Archie's mouth), thought I'd show off Grace in one of her favorite states - being fed. She's not always a big fan of being passed around to different people (although I think she's getting better) but she'll sit still for just about anyone with some rice cereal to shovel in her mouth.

Our future house

Dear friends, I think most of you know we're moving back to the States in a few months so Hunt can go to graduate school at Virginia Tech and work as a GTA. Here's a pic of the house we're about to sign a lease on. Hunt's parents found it for us. Cute, isn't it? We've never lived in a single family type dwelling before so it will be kind of fun. It has a yard and a basement. I have to title my blog "our future house" and not "our future home" because the home is the people. I still can't quite grasp how different life in America will be after three years living in Asia and loving it. I am going to have to make a really big effort to make many Asian friends and keep my language sharp because I never know when I might need it again. I also feel like it's just such a part of me now. I realized the other day as I was coming home from the store I was thinking in my new language and characters instead of English...

Here are some pics of some of the little faces that will fill our home:


Grace isn't quite sure what she'll think about the move either, but she is excited to see Grandpa, Grandma, Memaw and Papa. (Archie's never been to America either.)

Happy Resurrection Day!

We had a wonderful Resurrection Day this year. At the end of the day, we also presented Archie with his first ever Easter basket (see little orange bowl below). Hunt even hid it behind the curtain so he would have to find it.

Grandma sent some Thomas the Train Pez dispensers. He's a big Thomas fan although I don't think he cared about the Pez.

I love it how we only put three little pieces of chocolate in the basket and he was so willing to share it with us :) How long will that last? Forever I hope...

We tried to get a pic of the kids together on our sofa. I thought the result was pretty funny.

At least they're both smiling in this one and you can see Grace's Easter outfit.

Winter wonderlands and weddings from windows

When looking out my window slightly before 8 a.m. the other day, I caught sight of this lovely bride being picked up for her wedding. Unlike America, where the groom can't see the bride on the wedding day, the groom must head over early to the bride's house to pay her family and friends some "bribe money" delivered in red envelopes for the privilege of picking her up. (Nowadays I think that is mainly just part of a fun tradition.) I couldn't resist leaning out my window and snapping a few shots.

Here is the processional of cars. Most Chinese weddings take place in restaurants. Once you've registered and paid your fee, you're legally married (no need of further ceremony) so the wedding is just a celebration. Traditionally, the bride wears red but Western style wedding dresses are more popular every year.

The return of winter. What was missing from those wedding pics (snapped Saturday)? SNOW. What's back today (see below). Yeah! What's this, April 12? Winter, will you ever let go? I got so excited one day last week because I saw snow for the first time in about six months (meaning above freezing temps) but now...

Standing tall!

My little Gracer can stand. I was looking through old pics of Archie and I think he was also about eight months when he started standing. So fun!