Memorial Day Weekend, Toddler Bed

First, here's a random pictures of my baby taking her afternoon nap in the "big bed" (aka our bed).  She kind of got used to this while we were in Taiwan and well, as you know by now, she can sleep just about anywhere.  She loves to sleep on "Daddy's side!"

I surround her with about 10 pillows...just to be safe.  :)

I started off the long weekend by making chocolate chip cookies from scratch.  It's Alton Brown's Chewy Chocolate Chip recipe which I've made before and LOVE.  And I don't even really like chocolate.

Waiting patiently...

Ta-da!

On Saturday we hung out with Grandma and Grandpa and of course, we had to take a dip in the pool!  Our little Abby can swim/float in her floatie completely unassisted!  She has SO much fun swimming and subsequently takes wonderful naps in the afternoon.  Here are a few pics from the afternoon!

Wheee!!!

Swimming/floating to Grandma!  Such a big girl!

Kick!  Kick!  Kick!

Just look at the determination in her face!

Then we spent Sunday at the Baldwin's with Lao Nian, Lao Yie and Jo Jo.  With each visit comes improvement on both Abby and Elliott's as far as sharing and playing well together.  Hooray for our cute cousins!  We brought Abby's little pool so Elliott could splash around outside for the first time.  At first he was a little weary but he later warmed up and the 2 had lots of fun!

After explaining to Elliott that this is just like bath time, which he loves, he started playing with his toys and all was well.

I'm not sure how independent play works in a 5' diameter pool but they made it work.

This picture is blurry but he looks so cute!

Is it obvious that grandbabies are always the center of attention?  :)

If you are wondering how Elliott's hair got wet, it's because Abby poured water on it with one of the cups.  Bad bao bao!

This is what a defiant Abby-face looks like when she deliberately does something I tell her not to do.  In this case, it was to stop pouring water either on Elliott or outside of the pool.

Elliott finally stood up and was super excited! 

It was time to go back inside and play, play, play!

Ruby - don't his legs remind you of your baby pictures?

And lastly, since Abby's been on a "big bed" kick, we decided to transition her crib into the toddler crib and it was a success!  She is currently snoozing away like a big girl *sniff, sniff* and we are so proud of her!  I'm very curious what tomorrow morning will bring.  Will she hop out of bed before I get her?  Will she stay put like usual and call for me to get her?  We'll see!

We had to rearrange the furniture in her room a bit as well but this is what her bed looks like now!  Looks like I need to get a new bed set or at least a new blanket and pillow for her.

Abby is 25 months old! & Daddy-Daughter pictures

Re-post!
I completely forgot to post that Abby turned 25 months old yesterday!!  What a difference a month can make - she's a bonafide toddler for sure!  We love you, Abby!

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I just love pictures of Bryce and Abby together!  I'm a bit of a 'daddy's little girl' so it warms my heart to see Abby cuddle up on her Daddy!  Here are a few cute pictures that I know I'll cherish for a long time.  :)

Abby loves to cuddle with her Daddy in this blanket.

This picture is sort of blurry but I love it!

Bryce is cuddling with his baby and Abby is cuddling with her baby.

Here is a closer look at my goofy baby!

This little girl can sleep anywhere (like the half-Chen that she is) and last week it was all about napping on the couch.

This was the next day.  She only napped twice last week.

Abby LOVES to read.  She will sit like this for almost half an hour.  Do other kids do this too??  I swear she looks like she's reading her morning paper.

Abby's got the best seat in the house!

And lastly, Daddy caught a frog to show Abby.  That totally made her day!  Don't worry, we let it out after a few minutes.

Fun in the sun!

Today's weather is so wonderful (for Houston) so we took advantage of it with some good old fashioned family-fun-in-the-sun time at home.  :)  After our usual Sunday morning grocery run, we decided to have lunch outside so that Abby could play, play and play!  And so that Bryce could water the yard.  :)  I was on camera duty so here are a few pictures from this afternoon.  Dinner will also be served outside this evening.  What's on the menu, you ask?  Grilled beef, grilled corn (with husk on while corn soaks in butter and garlic pepper), grilled onions, tortilla, chips, guacamole and salsa.  I can't wait!

Lunch was just crackers, 3 types of cheese, ham, tomatoes and cucumbers.  And what is lunch without a Bubble Generator!?!

Abby hanging out with her Daddy.  She missed him so much this past week!

Gotta stay hydrated!

This is what I get when I ask her to smile!

Don't worry M&D, she only scuffed her knee.  No big deal!  She got another one on the other knee later too!  No need to worry - she's 2 and that's what they do!

Abby still likes for her Daddy to hold her like a baby once in a while.  It's just not the same when I do it, of course.

Every kid loves to play in the sprinkler!

Abby loves wearing hats.  I really like this one because it blocks out a lot of sun from her face.

Abby waving at her shadow.  :)

Daddy looks good in Abby's hat too!

Must play in dirt.

Again with the goofy grin!

Popsicle time!

Big foot eating a popsicle!

It's so much fun to see kids play in puddles!  This was Abby's first time to play in a puddle too.

SPLASH!  SPLASH!  SPLASH!

Poor Abby was exhausted but fought sleep with every fiber in her body.  "Daddy read book, please!" said Abby.  This was followed by a 20 minute inconsolable meltdown (her first ever - what a fun experience that was!), followed by...

...Mommy and Daddy having to pretend-sleep to get her to sleep as well.  And yes, she is sleeping on the floor in the middle of the living room.  Never wake a sleeping baby!

Another cousin playdate!

Abby and I spent this afternoon with Lao Nian, Lao Yie and Elliott!  Elliott's mommy and daddy are in Austin for a wedding this weekend so Abby and I thought we'd drop by and play.  :) 

Cousin love, Tooth #17

I am proud to say that Abby and Elliott are getting better and better at playing together.  So much has changed since their last real playdate.  Elliott is walking around now, he can defend himself and Abby has finally learned the art of sharing!  It's so cute because they give each other hugs a lot.  :)  I must say Abby still gets a little jealous when I hold Elliott but she's even making improvements in that area as well.  All in due time.  Here are a few pictures from last Friday - enjoy!

Elliott eating lunch and making a silly face!

There's that cute smile!!

Playing well together while Ruby eats lunch in the background.  :)

Obligatory picture with Lao Nian.  Look who's holding hands!!  Aww...

Sorry E, you come to our house and you're bound to play with something pink.

Lucy a-yi and Jo Jo dropped by to play too!  Abby and Elliott really liked all the attention.  :)

Elliott got to ride in a wagon for the first time too!  Both were being so good and seemed to enjoy each other's company.  Either that or it was just too hot outside.

Look at that smile!  I love it!

Everybody get a drink - it's hot out there!  We can't wait to play again this Friday!

I just noticed today (although I'm probably a week late) that Abby's bottom left 2nd pre-molar has crowned and the bottom right one is not far behind!  I must say Abby has been a champ in the teething department.  We are lucky she doesn't really fuss at all.  Her teeth are small like her Daddy's so my theory is that it just doesn't hurt her that much.  Either way, I'm glad they grow in quite unnoticed.