Cute stories

Allison remembered the English and viet word for clap hands! She did it when I said it in both languages.

She can give kisses on demand on our cheeks when we tell her to. She'll make the sound "mmmuah!"

I gave her a snack of cheese and crackers. She only wanted the crackers (no surprise there). I thought I could trick her by melting the cheese onto the cracker. But then she peeled it off O_O.

She can climbed over the boxed borders all on her own now, to go inside or outside of the play area. She'll put one leg up, hoist her body over it to be on top, then knows how to twist her legs down to the other side. It's kinda cute. I let her walk around the house wherever she wants (closing the bathroom and master bedroom doors). I figure that I rather let her be free and explore so that she can let her curiosity be. Then things won't seem as grand bc she never had access to it before.

First Vietnamese word!

I had been reminded to continue to teach Allison Vietnamese words. The way to teach a baby isn't really to just talk in whole sentences. You have to use one or two word phrases, emphasize it, and use it consistently.
In the past, she understood the Viet and English word for "clap hands". She would do it on command when it is said. I hadn't done it in a while so I wonder if she remembers.
Every time I go to change her diaper, I say "change diaper". Lately I say it in Vietnamese, which is "thay tã". Yesterday while on the changing table (@14.5 months) she repeated that word every time I said it, like five times. It was cool and cute. But this morning, Tom went to change her diaper. He didn't say that word, but she did!! So she understands! So cool. I need to teach her some more short words. I think she understands more but can only say words with mainly vowels.

She's getting bigger..

Here is a pic at 14.5 months. She's getting taller. Still 22 lbs since 13 months. Able to climb out of the boxed border in the living room.

She's able to drink 100% coconut milk now. She kills the entire 8 Oz bottle of milk now at the daycare and eats most of her breakfast and lunch.

I'm going to start moving away from pumping during the mid day and reserve nursing for just the morning and evenings.

This morning was funny. She wakes up at 6 and cries softly. It's still dark in there and when I come in, she says, "oh... Ma?" haha.

She and I watch a daytime talk show together called The Real which has a catchy theme song. Every time it comes on, which is often, she claps her hand. She started doing that to the theme song of The King of Queens, too.

Happy Halloween!

It was Allison's first year dressing up for Halloween at almost 14 months old. She was dressed as a butterfly fairy, a hand me down costume of cousin Alyna's. 
At church, every year there is a Harvest Day celebration.. The ballroom is transformed into a carnival style with game booths, chances to win candy and fun prize toys. They hire a popcorn machine guy, balloon artist and face painting artist. Allison had a lot of fun walking around this environment.

At her Preschool on Halloween, everyone including the teachers dressed up. They had a party and it was so cute to see her walking around with all the other dressed up kids.

On Halloween evening itself, we went to an event called Rise of the Jack O Lanterns. Thousands of pumpkins carved and lit up in intricate designs. We went to One Ngoai and it was fun.