Day 3: Texas Trip - Downtown Dallas and Wedding!

Dear Logan,

Let me continue telling you about our trip. Oh, first of all, your brother is doing a lot better after all the treatment and medication. He's still coughing a little bit, but definitely no more continuously coughing. He's actually more used to the nasal chamber, and doesn't fight anymore.

So back to our trip. On the day of your Auntie Chandy's wedding, we spent the morning briefly exploring downtown Dallas with Auntie Katie and Uncle John. We headed to the grassy knoll where JFK was assassinated. Daddy and Uncle John have both been there, and it's Mommy's and Auntie Katie's first time. A little bit of history, a little bit of exploring. Downtown was pretty empty as it was a Saturday morning. We just walked around for a little while, then headed back to the hotel area for some lunch. Took us a while to find a restaurant, get settled and ate. We didn't want to go too far, as we had to head to the Church for the wedding pictures by 4 p.m. It left your brother very little time to nap. I think he only napped for 30 mins that day.

But since we're family, and your brother was the ring bearer, we had to get to the church 2 hours early. It was hard to keep your brother entertained while waiting for the real ceremony to start. Luckily, he got along very well with the flower girl, and they kept each other company. Your brother was playing with my camera, re-watching the clips taken from the Wiggly Playcenter over, and over, and over again. That's how I kept him happy for all the waiting time, and during the ceremony.

Aidan and the flower girl did an amazing job walking down the aisle. They listened to instructions, walked slowly, and did exactly what they're told to do. Besides, they looked super adorable! The ceremony was a pretty short one, so I was able to keep your brother happy by giving him the camera, and the Ipod Touch for him to watch movies. These same gadgets kept him happy at the wedding reception as well.

Aside from having dinner, and eating lots of M&Ms (wedding favors), there's really not much for your brother to do. He hung out with the kids a little bit, and exchanged gadgets to play. He shared his Ipod Touch, and the flower girl's brother shared his DS Lite. Kids these days! We had to leave right after we ate the cake, as it was getting late and your brother was getting tired.

At the end of the day, we're all super tired. I was glad your brother was able to go to bed pretty much soon after he got in, and wasn't kept up because of all the M&Ms that he has eaten.

To be continued...


Love,
Mommy

Day 1 - Texas Trip : Arrival

Hello Logan,

Our trip to Texas was tiring, but fun. Our flight there was uneventful and everything went fine. We arrived earlier than expected, and was picked up by your Granduncle Tom. He was nice enough to scramble (big time!) to find your brother a car seat, get us a hotel (along with other relatives and friends), and really took care of us. He even lent us his GPS device, which was tremendously helpful.

When we arrived at Granduncle and Grandauntie's house, your brother was fascinated by a couple of things: a cute doggie named Oreo, a piano and a keyboard. Those three things kept him happy for a very long time. I never thought your brother would enjoy playing the piano or the keyboard. But then, the keyboard has everything that he likes, lights, buttons and music. He was also so in love with Oreo that it was totally adorable. He was a little apprehensive at first, but was able to warm up to Oreo, and Oreo to him after a while.

Later in the afternoon, we headed out to a playground/park nearby. They had this huge play structure, and a large area with many ducks. We spent almost an hour there. Your brother, despite being tired from the flight, ran around like crazy. He was just walking up and down the play structure to the different 'towers'. I had to really encourage him to try other parts of the structure. Grandaunt Cerina brought some bread, and we were able to feed the ducks and pigeons by the water.

Dinner was served by your Great Grandma from Taiwan, Grandma, and two Grandaunts. A lovely home-cooked meal enjoyed by all four generations. After dinner, we went back to our hotel and totally crashed! We were so tired.



This ends the first day of our trip.


To be continued...


Love,
Mommy

Mother's Day celebration with Grandma and Stacy's Wedding

Good morning sweetheart,

How are you? Did you enjoy our visit and the flowers yesterday? I tried to explain to your big brother that you're living at your new home with other children now. I am not sure how much he understands, but I think he understands a lot more than I give him credit. When I told him we're going to Church for your mass, he said "Don't Cry". He actually said that twice. He remembered last time we went to church, I was crying because it was your good-bye mass.

After visiting you, we met up with Uncle John and Auntie Katie for dim sum, a Mother's Day lunch for grandma. It was a lovely lunch and your brother ate so much fried stuff and couldn't stop drinking his strawberry yogurt drink.

Then we went to Super Suppers to pick up some frozen meals. Daddy's Tun Tavern friends have given us a VIP membership to Super Suppers for 3 months, so that we could have 12 meals and 2 sides each month. They gave us the gift when you're still in the hospital, as scheduling to shop and cook was difficult. Now Daddy could enjoy the meals when Mommy and Brother go back to Macau next week. We then dropped off your brother at Grandma's house. Grandma was watching Aidan because Daddy and Mommy had to attend Auntie Stacy's wedding.

Speaking of the wedding, it was beautiful and so "Auntie Stacy". The Jewish ceremony was funny and touching. This is the first Jewish wedding Daddy and Mommy have attended, so we're unfamiliar with the traditions. I think the Rabbi did a great job. The restaurant, Sens, at Embarcardero 4, was beautiful. The lamb meatballs, smoked salmon, chicken kabobs, fried cheese cubes appetizers were delicious! Now we're expecting great food to come later. Can't beat an open bar as well. Because Daddy and Mommy were seated at the last table, food came out last. We had to eat super fast because we had to pick up your big brother. Grandma had to work today, so Aidan couldn't stay overnight. But the lamb chops were delicious!! We had to leave right when the First Dance started and missed out on the dessert, cake-cutting and dancing.

Daddy and Mommy wanted to come back to this restaurant another night to try another dish. This is one of the best weddings I've ever attended. Auntie Stacy and Uncle Jason look so happy, and Mommy is very happy for them. Please watch over Auntie Stacy and Uncle Jason when they travel to Israel for their honeymoon next week. Auntie Stacy has been a good friend of Mommy, and she has also come to visit you at the hospital. Remember the cute stuff little lamb that she got you?

Mommy needs to get ready to go to the zoo now. We're spending Mother's Day there. I'll give you all the details about our trip tonight, ok? For now, enjoy some pictures taken at the wedding.

Mommy spotted Auntie Stacy when I first arrived. Isn't she beautiful?

Daddy and Mommy waiting for the ceremony to start

Auntie Stacy signing her Jewish Marriage Certificate

Delicious Lamb Chop!

The Wedding Cake

First Dance

Miss you,
Mommy