Brenda, Leon, Alex and Jasmine

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:20:00 +0100

Jasmine said "Shoe" instead of "Shuh".? We were watching a bartender contest, and she really enjoyed it when they juggled, so much that she started to move her hands like a juggler!? (of course, I couldn't get it on the camcorder)? She also imitated her dad and brother, and held her hands up like "I'm gonna get you" and walked slowly toward me, then tickled me "ti - ti - ti!"? She insists on feeding herself, which she is getting better at, but she'll hold the bowl upright to get into it with a spoon while the rest of it drips onto her lap.? She likes to sit next to me in the bathroom and hold the brushes.?
Alex is getting clever, and also asking the tougher questions. He fixated on the Shel Silverstein poem where the guy picked his nose, and no matter what I said, he kept asking me why the guy picked his nose.? ("Uh, I don't know, he's gross."? "Uh, I guess he had something in it.")? Now I think Alex may think there really is a sharp toothed snail inside our noses.? He can sing most of "Santa Claus is coming to town."? He loves to sing into the microphone.?
I got my hair chopped off.? I mean CHOPPED off.? It's so nice!? I LOVE washing it.? It still takes some finesse to fix it, though.?
Leon is out fishing again.? He and his friends had to go fishing during the hurricane!!? Okay, it was really a disappointing drizzle after all, but it did bring a lot of allergies!?

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:08:00 +0100

Okay, so Mom and Dad are finally going to europe - actually in just a few weeks!? They'll be in Amsterdam for a couple of extra days, so I thought I would do some research on what ELSE you can do in Amsterdam, other than the notorious acts.? The word "Oklahoma" jumped out at me, and it looks like it's old people's homes.? I said, "look, Oklahoma" (to Alex), and he says "Where's Uncle Homa?"?

The kids were entertaining themselves by climbing up the footrest of the lounger, over me, to the other side, slide down, and repeat.? OVER and OVER!?

Jasmine is braver in the water than Alex.? She'll put her face down in the water.? Alex is starting to lay down on his back, though!

Jazzy says "Boo" instead of "Buh" and tried to say "Backpack."?

Alex is helping us cook, and wants to wash dishes!? (Oh, I wish he could!)

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:07:00 +0100

My, how time flies.? We are in Houston for Conrad and Debbie's wedding reception.? So far so hot.? The kids have proven that their schedules are in charge of this trip, but except for a rough dinner with Jasmine all is going well.? So, I want to note some of the kids updates.?
We got Alex's hair cut, and he flipped out so much, all we got was the extra on the ears and back of the neck, so he officially has a shag now.? (I still say it looks a LOT better than before.)
Alex is definitely trying to control his world (terrible three's), and I don't know what hit me.
Jasmine, on the other hand, is starting early.? She can be so sweet, but MAN she will tell you when she is not happy with you.
Alex is starting to read some simple words.? He knows what all the letters say all by themselves.? He is blowing bubbles in the water now (big breakthrough in getting to swim), especially with the goggles on.? He doesn't yet have the control to understand that you don't breath in while under the water.? He has a "sturprise" for us when we get home, and likes to pretend it's our birthdays.? I swear he grew another two inches and two years before I realized it.? He's such a big boy now.? Potty trained when he's awake.? (We haven't tried naptime and bedtime yet.)
Jasmine is starting to talk.? She very clearly says "up" when she wants us to pick her up.? She can pull the ponytail holders out of her hair (the tighter ones), and she loves shoes.? (Where did that come from???)?
Got to take advantage of a little quiet time.? I'll try to update more often.

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:23:00 +0100

Last Friday, June 13 (should've known), Jasmine had her first fever.? Just a low fever, 99-100F, but she was cranky (achy) until Sunday night.? We KNEW her fever broke for good, because she had such a burst of energy, and was feeling SO good, she ran back and forth between me and my dad for about 20 minutes, virtually non-stop, talking all the time.? Monday was great, and then Tuesday she broke out in a rash.? She was no longer contagious, but she had Roseola Virus, which ends in a rash.? It's all gone now, and luckily she didn't seem to itch much at all.

Alex potty training is going so well, we're going to really go for the underwear tomorrow!?

Today was a Swedish holiday, the middle of summer.? Frida made us some great meatballs, mashed potatoes, and cookies!? It was a great meal!

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:18:00 +0100

Here are some stories from the Taiwan trip:

On the long 13 hour flight, Alex did really well. The flight wasn't very full at all and so Dad, Alex, and I were in a 5 person row all by ourselves. Conrad shared a 5 person row with a mom and her 2yr 9 mo son.? Alex really liked playing with Conrad in his row.? He also played with little boy a few times (traded toys).? He really was a much better behaved boy than the other kid.? On that flight, I was able to get him a nap around his normal nap time and he slept for about 2 1/2-3 hours. By the time we were approaching Japan, it was past his bedtime but I couldn't get him to sleep then. When we landed in Japan it was midday there and very bright in the airport. I tried to get him to lie down and nap (that was the picture I sent of him and Conrad) but he just didn't sleep.? He fell asleep on the airplane before we even took off while I was holding him.? At that point it was like 2 or 3 in the morning Dallas time and so he was pretty tired.? He woke up 1 1/2 hours later and was fussy (as to be expected).? But he was only upset for a few minutes. After 30-45 min, he fell back asleep for the rest of the flight.? We got through the airport and security without much incident.

We got to the hotel around 8:30 pm local time.? We all went over to the Sida area (where we would go for breakfast) where we had some really good chinese food (the flat bread things that are like green onion cakes). We walked around for quite a while. Then we came back and took a shower and we got to bed around 12:30 local time.? He slept till 6ish (we all did) then we got up and went over to breakfast around 7:30 am.? He doesn't like taxis for some reason. He gets upset everytime we get into a taxi and then calms down a few minutes later.? We had the usual yummy breakfast and got back to the hotel.? We then took a cab over to Grandpa/grandmas. Alex is shy around grandma and the aunts.? He is still not sure what to make of them. Conrad and I took turns watching Alex at the grandparents house while the other would go to visit grandpa in the hospital.? Alex is really doing great for me.? He's playing and eating well.

A couple of funny things he said/did during the trip:
At one point on the airplane he says "Dad, May I jump out?" I ask him" Jump out of the airplane ?" He says " YES, jump out and SKYDIVE!" I tell him no and that he has to be 18 before he can jump out.

I think he still has some residual memories of the last time he was here.? He asked where Santa Clause is (remember the giant inflatable
Santa last time) and he keeps looking for christmas lights.

He loves the shower with the handheld spout.? It's like a water game for him and it was easy to give him a shower.

Alex continues to do really well over here.? He's a little tired and it throws him off at times, but overall he is doing well.?

He takes after you in that he hogs the entire bed.? I woke up several times to find this tiny not-yet-three year old has parked himself right in the middle of the bed and is spread eagle so I have very little room on the bed.? Then I'm scared to move him so I perch on the edge and hope I don't roll off.? He woke me up this morning by putting his nose right on my nose and his eyes as wide open as he could, then when I opened my eyes, he giggled maniacally.? He then did this over and over again. (btw right now it's 1:24 and he's sitting in bed watching tv. He actually said to me "Dad, I'm a little tired" and "Dad, may I take a nap please?")

For some reason he really doesn't like taxis and he's asking to be carried a lot more than usual.? The new places and experiences are a little overwhelming I think.? He's pretty shy around the aunts but he gave grandma a hug today when he saw her.

Alex is quite the hit with the young ladies around here.? He alwaysdraws attention and is instantly being waved at.? He hasn't had a melt down yet.? He's just had a couple of times where he was little upset mostly because he was just tired.?

He had 5 whole shiao long baos this morning (the type of breakfast meat pockets that I like). He's eating pretty well, the buns often have vegetable and meat fillings and he's eaten the whole thing.?

He watched Conrad do some pushups this morning and asked him what he was doing. Conrad told him "I'm doing pushups you want to do some?"... Alex said "No, I want to do this" and then proceeded to do his little Alex dance.? It was pretty funny.

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:06:00 +0100

So, I'm hoping to use this Blog to help tell Leon how the days are going while he's gone.

Today we sent the boys off to Taiwan.? Jasmine seemed to be picking up on my sadness, because she cried a really low, sad cry.? When we got home, and she got fed, she was happy again.? Leon called while I was on my way home to tell me that I forgot to give him back the wet wipes for his carry on (then I found the other pack at home too), but then Alex told me he's having fun.? That really made me feel good.
Frida and I went shopping, took my mind off things for a while.? Then I took a short nap with Jasmine and went out again.? I got Leon some clothes (made me feel good).?
It's really sad to look around the house and see things that Alex won't be using for a while, but It's Only A Week.?
I'm loading new pictures to the webpage.? Alex went to his first kids' fishing tournament, and he caught his first fish!? (and second, and third).? For a while, he had the smallest fish.? It was great to see him excited about it, and able to handle reeling in the big fish!? It was a great day!

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:45:00 +0100

Yesterday, while I was?taking pictures of Jasmine, she took her first step!? Later she did it again, and later she was standing, and got so excited, she started stomping both feet.? Won't be long before that one step becomes a whole series.

http://kao-family.com/gallery/March-2008/2008_Mar_16_Studio_018_FIRST_STEP

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:10:00 +0100

Alex-ism:? "I can't buweeve it!"? (believe it)?
I finally updated the family picture.? (boy, that took a while!)?
He sat here next to me, and typed "ALEX," "MOM," "DAD," "EGG," AND "HAM" from just remembering how to spell the words, and he actually spelled them, instead of holding the keys down until he gets two lines of "H."?
I've been trying to catch up with friends, but all I've done is read their blogs.? (Hence the new links on our website.)? Now I just want to make that french soup recipe on Anna's page.
Alex pretends to cook, acts out TV shows he sees, and he asked Jasmine to play drums with him.? Now I'm going to cook his wonderful soup!

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:39:00 +0100

Yesterday Jasmine actually fell over laughing!? It was adorable!?

Alex was in the car, we were out during his nap time, so Dad (Leon) says, "Why don't you close your eyes for a little bit?"? Alex said, "ok," closed his eyes, then opened them, and then said, "there."

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:48:00 +0100

Well, to catch up, Jasmine got her 2nd tooth 2 days later, and was really crawling the next day.? Busy week!?

I have to capture some Alex-isms.?

The other day, he got bumped in the nose (okay, I did it.? We were playing catch with a small, foam football).? He was a little stunned, then he said he was sad, and wanted to "be alone", and walked away.? Later, he joyfully stated, "I'm okay!!"? (Okay, that doesn't sound like a big deal, but he's getting more dramatic and inventive every day.? We were all stunned, and asking each other, "do you say that?")? It ended with, "Mommy threw the football and I got an owie, but I wanted to be alone, but now I'm okay!"

Common phrases:

I can't believe it! But ..

But (anything)

We have to (we haff to) save ...

I also love the smile he gave me when we looked at a book together and I would say, "is it red?? is it purple?? is it yellow?"? When I got it right, he raised his eyebrows and closed mouth smile, and in a "great job, mommy" look, he nodded yes.

Last night after a time-out, when he did lay down for a diaper change, he kept saying how he was a good boy, and he got a time out, but he's a good boy!

Speaking of diapers, if this kid can continue to play?in a dirty diaper to the point where carpet shampoo is needed, and not be bothered, I don't think he's ready to be fully potty trained.? I'm not that bothered by diapers anyway, and it'll happen someday!

Words he can spell:? (He holds up the fingers on his hand, one for each letter)

Alex, Mom, Dad, Antje, Baby, Cat, Dog,?Cereal, and a couple of others written down at home.?

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:11:00 +0100

Jasmine got her first tooth yesterday!? It's her lower left, and it's all poking through.? Poor kid is sleeping a lot, but doing well.? She is also getting on her hands and knees, but then pushes back to sitting.? (That's an improvement to just laying on her belly and then getting upset.)? Any day now, she'll be crawling.

Christmas was fun!? Alex loves his scooter so much, he said "I can't believe it!!"? It was great to have so much family around.?

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:06:00 +0100

So, it's been a while again.? (Wow, Jasmine is probably older than Alex in this picture.? Got to update!)? I was telling this story to a coworker, and didn't want to forget it again.?

Alex is not really ready to potty train (not to his parents standards, at least), but there are some times when I catch him "controlling it."? One time, before we both agreed to put off potty training until he's really interested, I had Alex on the potty, and running water, and reading him a book, and put water in his "bowl" and he sat, and he sat, and he sat ... and he sat!? Not a drop.? So, I tell him to finally go wash his hands.? He stands up, and pees on the tile.? :)? I told him to stop, and he did!?

Another time, he was in the bathtub, and he said he wanted to do something.? He grabbed one of his plastic stacking cups, held it in front of him, and proceeded to pee into it.?? -- Just another time that I've had to drain the tub and rewash my son.? :)

I've been asking a lot of people for their input on potty training, because this will be another new phase for us.? Boy, I have a lot of respect for those who've been through it!

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:36:00 +0100

Sorry, Antje, but I have to tell this story.

This is Cricket Season!!!? Crickets come in the house several times a day.? I throw one out, and three are waiting to jump in - no lie!? I spent 10 minutes chasing the rounds of crickets coming in one time.

Antje says Crickets are the grossest creatures alive.? This is a tough woman, a black belt in Judo, athletic, would let spiders crawl on you (tells us how many spiders we eat each year, just in our sleep), watches horror movies.? She hates crickets.?

How does she save the children from the crickets?? She tells Alex to stay up on the couch, then covers the cricket with a paper cup.? I found two the other day in the kitchen.? There\'s one upstairs that Alex kept uncovering, then covering again.? He thought it was fun!? \"It\'s right there!? A spider!\"? \"you mean, a cricket?\"? \"A kikit!\"? Antje?? No, she covers them with paper cups.?

We still love you, Antje!

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:52:00 +0100

Antje told us something really cute that happened:

Jasmine was in the bouncy seat.? Alex was talking to her, showing her the chair, counting the prongs, and then he looked at her, said "I love you sooo much," then leaned over and kissed her.

Then the other day he was playing with the exersaucer phone, and said, "Hi!? I'm Alex.? And this is my Antje, and this is my baby."?

I love how the kids like each other!?

Jasmine can roll over sometimes, she giggles sometimes, she talks a LOT, she plays with toys, she likes watching her brother.?

Alex was on a high yesterday (maybe because we have OJ instead of apple juice?).? After his bath he was running around naked and loving it!? (then we found a small puddle)? Oh well.? We're learning.

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:27:00 +0100

I just don't want to forget - Jasmine started coo-ing last week.? She'll just let out a little talking noise.? I can't say if it's an "oh" or "ah," or what.? Just cute!? She also seems to have a little more control of her arms, really swinging them to bat something away.? She's over 12 lb!? Alex is 28 lb!?

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:24:00 +0100

So, today Alex really put me to the test.? He wanted me to pick him up and carry him downstairs.? I had a hungry Jasmine in my hands, so I said he'd have to walk.? He woke up the whole house crying.? We tried all kinds of things, but in the end he stuck to his guns, on the top stair, squeezing out tears.? This went on for about 15 minutes.? I tried to change his focus, to offer him a drink, to give him choices on how to come down the stairs.? I had to get to work, so I said goodbye (when he said "no, Mommy go work.? Daddy go work," among other barely audible things).? Later I call from work, and find out that as soon as I left, Leon said "come on down the stairs."? Alex happily did and?cheerily?said "Alex come on down."? Grrr ... another test from the two-year-old.? At least I could confirm it was just a test.

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 18:20:00 +0100

I think the long version of the birth story has to come later.? At the Dr. visit on June 6, I was up to 4 cm.? The Dr. said "are you SURE you don't want to induce tomorrow?"? Since that Thursday would be her last work day before the due date (the following Monday), and we wanted her to be there, plus I was getting SO uncomfortable (as Anna mentioned in her comment), we decided to do it.? After a relatively short labor (<6 hours), and 2 1/2 pushes, Jasmine was born.? She's such a cutie, has really long feet, and is getting some impressive chunkiness already.? She has fussy times, but then she also sleeps pretty well at night.? She's started to smile, but?not often.? I love it when she's hungry, then finds her tiny fingers and starts sucking on them.? (Yummy!)

Alex is really growing fast too.? He says long sentences, and then corrects himself with long pauses between his words.? We wait for him to get it all out, and are so impressed with his language skills already.? He'll yell, "Hey, Daddy!? What are you doing?"? He says "Wow!? That's so cool!"? (but it sounds like "too")? He's been more resistant, as two-year-olds are, but he's still so willing to help clean up, get his own diaper, and throw things in the trash.? He's learning to put his own shirt and shoes on.? Amazing to say that and look at this photo of him as a baby.? He'll run to give Jasmine hugs and kisses (without us asking), but then he'll ask me to put her down, and "no feed baby Jasmine."? We are so lucky to have this great family!

Tue, 15 May 2007 14:14:00 +0100

Last week the Dr. said I was 1cm, not thinned at all.? Today I'm 2 cm, and thinned to 60%.? (For those excitable people - This means nothing.? It could still be today or never when I go into labor.??Many people walk around for weeks at 4?or 5 cm.)? When we went to the hospital in labor with Alex, I was maybe 2.5-3cm.? That was after 9 hours of contractions.? The doctor said wouldn't it be great if you started labor after you were 3 cm?? Yes!? I would much rather slowly dialate without labor!? ? I'm also 36 weeks, so I could have a healthy baby today, if it happens.? Oh, and Leon (I'm sure with help) got the nursery ready!? I hope to post pictures soon!

So, next appt., next week.?

Sat, 12 May 2007 03:40:00 +0100

Well, Antje (au pair) is delayed for the night.? She will be here midday tomorrow.? We are excited to have her here!

Other ramblings:

I've been thinking about how things are different this pregnancy than the last.? Last time, Leon kept asking "aren't you excited to hold him?"? My answer then was that I always had Alex with me, I could feel him kicking, etc.? I never understood when people said they couldn't wait to "meet" their baby.? Now I know that when this little miracle is born, and we see her for the first time, and she cries, and she yawns, that will be when we start to really meet her.? Yes, she already has special personality traits.? Sure, she's instantly beloved and famly to us, but she will then have a face, and a unique identity.? I am not ready yet, but I sure am looking forward to meeting this tiny being that is a mountain in our lives.

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:02:00 +0100

Conversation between Leon and me today:

Leon J Kao so just now your son was looking at our door to the backyard

Leon J Kao and pretending to swat at the top of the door

Leon J Kao and I couldn't figure out what he was donig

Leon J Kao so I look a touch closer

Leon J Kao and there is a wasp at the top of the glass part of the door

Leon J Kao just as I figured out what he was looking at he goes...

Leon J Kao "BEEEEEEEEE"

Brenda L Kao eek!!

Brenda L Kao inside or out?

Leon J Kao inside

Leon J Kao so I

Leon J Kao go "yeah, Bee"

Leon J Kao "Bee is yuck yuck, owie

Brenda L Kao aaww!

Leon J Kao and go to get some papertowels

Leon J Kao come back around and keep saying "bee is yuck yuck, owee"

Leon J Kao then proceed to quickly smash/grap the wasp with the papertowels

Leon J Kao as soon as I cover it up and scoop it away

Leon J Kao Alex looks at me and goes

Leon J Kao "bee go?"

Brenda L Kao awww!

Leon J Kao "where beee go?"

Leon J Kao I said "bee go bye bye"

Leon J Kao he said, "yeah bye bye"

Leon J Kao then goes back to eating his toast and drinking his juice