Caped Crusaders

We went to our friend's house to have some good eats before we set out to trick-or-treat. The caped crusaders collected 2 bucketfuls each. Then, when they got tired, they hitched a ride in the "bat mobile." It was so much fun. We were surrounded by great friends, super heros, Snow White, dead brides, a creature from beyond, a skeleton and even a tiny lobster! Here is a collage of my caped crusaders...hey even super heros need to take a night off every once and a while!

To the special men in our lives...

I get caught up in posting pictures of the two little divas that are always ready to strike a pose. So when I came upon these two photo ops, I couldn't resist a blog post! I love how much the girls (and I) adore these two special guys. Daddy is the security, comfort, and reasoning in our family. And, Bubby (Michael) is the fun, playful, and role model. I couldn't ask for a better crew!!

First Day of Chinese Preschool!!!

My precious pre-schooler...

It has been a long process (5 months to be exact), but I finally decided on a Chinese pre-school for Maysie. However, we were forced to wait for an opening by the time I was...so-called ready for my baby to start preschool! Not only did she start, she conquered it! No tears...okay, I fought very hard to hold back tears, sweet good-byes, and my Moo Bear was embarking on a new adventure! The best part was to hear all the wonderful things that her teacher, Miss Amanda (who I totally LOVE) , had to say. It is so different being on the other side of the school stuff...I love being a parent. I just think time has never flown so fast...I wouldn't complain if it decided to SLOW DOWN!!!

Here is Maysie with Miss Amanda...

New adventures

It's not a secret that Maysie has been doing gymnastics at Brown's Gymnastics for a year now (probably because her mommy has a big mouth and loves to brag with pride.) So, why change it up now? I can't wait to "Brag..." I mean ShaRe stories about the new things that Maysie and Mylie are doing.

Mylie had a rough start her 1st week in gymnastics, but seems to be doing much better!!! She especially loves to show off new skills to her "ExPeRiEnCeD" big sister!!!

Basket hanging with Miss Haley...

Forward roll...just like Jei-Jei (that's big sister in Chinese)

Maysie had a BLAST at her first tennis lesson! She told me on the way home that she was going to "go home and practice tennis!" Plus, she has been enjoying the U.S. Open and informs us that she "will play tennis on TV" when she "grows bigger."

Maysie getting some one-to-one instruction on a backhand swing...

Maysie with Coach Anna...(who she thinks is SOOOOO silly!!!)

I'm a...

mommy, wife, daughter, bestie, friend, colleague, in-law, teacher, student, observer, counselor, mediator, chef, waitress, maid, diaper changer extraordinaire, seamstress, artist, planner, computer geek, couch potato, laundry director, team player, nurturer, nurse, Kleenex, procrastinator, role model, chauffeur, therapist, paper towel, comedian, actress, problem solver, singer, baby wipe, shopper, booster seat, security guard, decorator, translator, bather, day care coordinator, q-tip, disciplinarian, pillow, blanket...all in one day...and it's ALL worth it! (Hopefully, I didn't leave anything out!)

"Bay-Dee and Wy-Lee"

The other day, my dad referred to grapes as "EEPS," and it reminded me that Maysie used to call her favorite fruit, "EEPS!" I was a little sad because I realized just how fast she is growing up. I also remeber that I did a previous post that translated some of her adorable "baby talk." Although she sounds like such a big girl with very few articulation errors, it is now fun to listen to what she has to say instead. On the other hand, I am still lucky enough to be entertained with the way my dearest Mylie talks. It is so cute, and I want to capture some words/phrases. So, here is a little bit of translation to "Mylie talk:"

Baydee= Maysie
Wylee Ofayah Aucoat= Mylie Saraiya Hillcoat
Particuth= Spartacus (mini pig)
Hi are yooo?= Where are you?
*Huh?*= Mylie's way of asking a question...she adds this to the end of everything? (i.e. "Hi are yoo, huh? You want one, huh?)
Titty Tat= Kitty cat
Bean-Tee= Binky
Ayedono= I don't know
Woe-bot-danth= Robot Dance
Baby Soup= Bathing Suit
**My favorite: Aye Ya Yoo, Mommy!= I love you, Mommy!**

Becoming a Godmother!!!

July 24th @ 11:48 PM, my phone rings. I think, "Who the heck would call me this late??? Have they lost their mind?" Ignore...the caller immediately calls back...I think, "Oh! SnAp!!! I bet it might be Carrie!!!" I answer the phone to a calm soon-to-be mommy who informs me that her water broke:

Me: What were you doing?
Carrie: Sleeping.
Me: Are you sure?!
Carrie: Yeah. I'm positive!
Me: Are you sure you didn't pee the bed?
Carrie: *chuckle* No! My water REALLY broke. I'm going to take a shower and go to the hospital.
Me: Okay! I'll meet you there!

As I drove to the hospital, I realized that there was not going to be sleep in my near future (not to mention, I did wake up at 6:45 AM that morning), and that I had until 9:00 PM on July 25th to complete an assignment that was already granted 2 extensions...and I had only finished about half (which already took 2 hours). I know...oh, poor me! How selfish! How un-cool for me to be worrying about my own darn self while my bestie was about to deliver her 1st child! It must be my only child syndrome.

So, fast forward to the Labor and Delivery room at Sunrise Hospital. I had an over abundance of energy (adrenaline...I'm sure!) So, as my bestie was agonizing over Pitocin induced contractions, I tried to work on my assignment with no success. Around 5:15 AM, the nurse (and what a fabulous nurse, Maricel was) had her "practice push" (which she really didn't need...she was a natural...or maybe it was from being in my delivery rooms...or maybe it was all the countless hours of watching TLC's A Baby Story and MTV's 16 and Pregnant). Anyhoot, she pushed for about 20 minutes and stopped to wait for Dr. Jameson. Once the Doc showed up, it was like 10 minutes of pushing and...

Baby Maxim James "a.k.a. Max" tipped the scale at 7lbs. 1oz. and stretched 20.5 in. long. He joined the party at 6:08 AM on July 25th, 2010. And he was worth the long wait, the missed sleep, the stress to get my assignment completed, the missed birthday party (on Sunday), and the 3 hours of sleep I eventually got.

P.S. It was so amazing to be a part of Baby Max's arrival. I thank Carrie for the opportunity to be part of such an intimate, joyous, spiritual, emotional, and surreal experience. It was so crazy! I had an emotional breakdown. My legs were sore from trying to hold my composure and refrain from shaking...as I unsuccessfully fought back my tears. I can't even explain it! It really brought me back to that place when I had my girls...only, I had so much going on that my emotions didn't affect me in the same way.