Ending 2007 in sickness..... ugh....

Dan Dan has been sick for the last few days. First a runny nose and cough, and then started a low-grade fever for a couple days. Luckily he is getting better and the runny nose is almost gone. It worries me that he might have a stuffy nose when he's on the plane. Since it's his first flight, I have no idea how he would react. And if he's sick, this would just add more pressure to his little head and his ears might really hurt.

He has also lost his appetite the last few days. He used to eat almost everything, and a lot! But lately, he would take a couple bite and then refused to eat. Even his favorite apples and bananas, he won't even finish half of it. The only thing he would take was soup. But that's not enough to sustain his active lifestyle. Feeding has become a battle. It has become a battle between Dan Dan and Mommy/Daddy, and a battle between Mommy and Daddy on the philosophy of food battles. The pediatrician said one of the rules we should follow is never force a kid any food. No food fights! This is one thing that Mommy and Daddy are not agreeing on.

But thank god he's feeling better now and actually went to day care today. He came home eating just like he used to! I am not sure if it's because he saw other kids eating, or he's just feeling a lot better. He didn't eat as much as he used to yet, but he definitely ate everything we put on his plate. Thank God for that!

Now that Dan dan is getting better, Mommy and Daddy are sick. First Mommy, then Daddy. We seem to get sick together a lot. It sucks because it's the crucial time of the year and we definitely need to get well within the next 2 days. We definitely don't want to be sick on the plane, or any time during our month-long trip.

I vaguely remember we were also sick last New Year's Eve. Mmm... I guess flu shots are not perfect. Now let's see if Mommy and Daddy can actually stay up late enough to watch the New Year comes, while listening to Dan Dan coughing up a storm.

Christmas 2007

This Christmas was a quiet one. Aside from opening presents, it's like a normal Sunday. We got up, had breakfast and then proceeded with the presents. Aidan wasn't very interested in opening any of them! He's more interested in looking at the lights of the Christmas tree, and trying to grab my camera!

I got daddy to set up a tripod to videotape him, and then daddy took pictures while mommy helped Dan Dan open his presents. Aidan received a nice set of block books from Uncle Kyle and Auntie Leonor, a nice dinosaur transformer car and Spiderman memory game from Auntie Joanne, a bear with chocolates from Auntie Zoe (chocolates for Daddy and Mommy, of course!), a stuffed animal dragon from Khalida (day care provider), and a V-Smile Babysystem from Daddy and Mommy. He also received an early Christmas present from grandma, which was a very nice red coat that he's been wearing since!

After opening the presents, daddy and mommy took Dan Dan out to Orange Park and play. It was a beautiful day, a little chilly, but nonetheless a perfect day in the park. He enjoyed the swing, but was a little scared of the slides. He spent most of the time inside the Choo-choo train!

Dan Dan will be getting more presents next month when we went back to Asia to see more relatives!

Boys give mommies heartattacks

We met up with Leonor, Kyle and Melanie for some lunch on Sunday (12/23/07) . It was pure craziness! I guess since it's the final days before Xmas, everywhere was packed with last-minute shoppers. We finally ended having lunch at Marie Callendar because Moonstar was packed. Lunch was fine and food was just OK. Didn't really expect a whole lot. Basically, we just want somewhere the kids could walk around and won't be such a bother if they cry.

Melanie has grown so much! She is such an adorable little girl. Makes me want to have a little girl even more. Aidan was being his charming little self for the most part. It was not until the end of lunch and after sitting for over an hour that he finally lost his patience. He was doing fine and playing with Melanie, until he ran into the corner of a table. And I mean he really RAN into it! Poor boy got a black eye. Thank goodness he was tall enough to miss hitting right in the eye, but a little below the right eye. He would have to be a panda for the next few days. Being the little champ that he was, he only cried for a little while. Hank told me Melanie walked into the same corner but since she was walking slower and she's a little shorter, the impact wasn't as great.
I don't know how many bruises he is going to get in the future. As long as there isn't any broken bones, and CPS wasn't called, I am fine. When we got home, I put a stuff animal right at the corner of our futon bed/couch so he won't run into it. He often times runs without looking where he is going. Definitely needs to get a leash for him when we go back to Asia. I don't think grandparents can keep up with him and I don't want him to run into traffic.

At night, we went over to check out some Xmas lights at the Chestnut neighborhood in South City. We went at around 5:30 p.m. which was earlier than last year. Maybe coz it was too early, not all the houses were lit up yet. Since it's getting cold, I didn't want Dan Dan to be in the cold. A couple houses still amazed me with their decorations. It's amazing how much time and effort (and $) people put into each year's decorations. Dan Dan didn't fully enjoy it despite the fact he loves the little lights and tree we have at home. Maybe next year he could fully enjoy the amazing decorations. We will make this as our annual holiday tradition (as long as we live close enough to the area).

Party Party Party!!

When you had 3 Holiday parties in one weekend, you knew it's definitely that time of the year. What a busy weekend!

Last Friday was mommy's work holiday party. As usual, it was held at work. It wasn't too crowded this year and I think we arrived right on time. Aidan, of course, was busy running around, playing with cabinet doors, going up and down the stairs, and occasionally throwing a tantrum here and there. Overall, he behaved ok, didn't scream or cry. Mommy and daddy just had to keep him in the general area and not grabbing food, or daddy's beer.

Saturday was mommy's friend's holiday party at her house. We got there a little late because we had to wait till Aidan woke up from his nap. We actually had to wake him up coz it's getting late and daddy and mommy were starving. We're saving our stomach to gulf down some delicious Filipino food. Aidan was busy hanging out in the kitchen and playing with cabinet doors. Nothing new in that area! Lola's grandson wanted to 'race' and play. So I got Aidan to run around with Allen. However, Allen got a little too excited at one point, and accidentally pulled Aidan too hard that Aidan hit his face to the door frame. No serious injury. Just a bruise and he was being a trooper. Mommy hugged and he's fine within a few seconds. Aidan had also taken a liking to tortilla chips. There was a plate on the coffee table and he kept stuffing himself! He definitely liked that salty taste!

Sunday, we were invited by Grandma to the TerraBay Holiday Party. As usual, we arrived right before food was served. Now this time, Aidan was being a good boy. He sat down for a whole hour and a half, didn't fuss at all. Aidan arrived and saw Grandma helping out with checking-in people, and he immediately went around the group in front of us, and wanted to say Hi to Grandma. Aww... wasn't he the cutest! I was happy to see that Aidan recognized Grandma, and actually liked being with her.

Unfortunately, mommy was busy feeding and chasing after Aidan that she didn't take any party pictures the whole weekend. Grr... sux...

First day of new day care

Today is Aidan's first day at the new day care. Since Mrs. K is on vacation and won't be back until the end of the month, she recommend her friend to us. Dropping Aidan off this morning was easy. He went in, saw a bunch of older kids, and then started playing with the Elmo toy. Totally forgot about daddy and mommy, and I was worried he would cry! Where was the separation anxiety when I wanted it (ok, maybe only just a little of that)?

I didn't get to pick him up at the end of the day because of a dentist appointment. Daddy picked him up and obviously he's fine. I was hoping at this new day care, he would speak more as he's the youngest one. At Mrs. K's, he's the oldest kid and has no one to talk to.

I did notice something different this evening when he's home. He was taking his pants off and squatting down! I bet he saw other kids who are potty-trained and tried to copy that. At home, he's already following me into the restroom when mommy had to go. He immediately took the stool, sat down and waited for me. Then he would stand on the stool and wash his hands. I think he's ready for a potty!

Today at bath-time, I only lifted him up and said "pee-pee time" and he immediately peed, even without me dipping his feet into the warm water. I guess it's time for me to do some potty-shopping and reading up on reviews. Maybe by the end of this month, he would be potty-trained! Ahh.. a mommy could dream...