I Don't Need No (Baby Seat)

Dear Noah,

Yesterday was a big day!  First, in the morning you sat upright in a big boy chair to prove to us that you're ready for anything. 

Next, you went to the Doctor's where you did three stomach to back rolls in a row while we were waiting for the Doctor. Everything is looking pretty good although you could gain a little more weight.  After that, you were really brave getting two shots. Mommy couldn't watch but you held Daddy's hand and only cried a little!

In the evening Gong Gong and Pau Pau came to visit and gave you all sorts of attention.

Mommy, Daddy, Gong Gong and Pau Pau are looking forward to hanging out with you this weekend.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Week 1 of Daycare

Dear Noah,

You officially started daycare on Monday, Sept 23rd.  Seems like you don't mind us waking you up at 6:30am.  We get better everyday in getting you ready and out the door on time (on time so Daddy and Mommy can get to work at reasonable times).  Pretty soon we'll be like pros!

Here are some pictures from the week:

Day 1 - wise like an owl.  This was actually taken after you came home, hence you looked a bit tired.

Day 2 - ready to rock.  Here you were in your carseat, waiting with your daycare bag for Mommy and Daddy to take you.

Day 3 - being preppy.  It was picture day at school so Mommy dressed you up in your prepster outfit.  The Oxford shirt is a bit too big for you but you looked cool and hip nonetheless.  Pau Pau saw this picture and commented that you looked "scholastic".  Ha.

Day 4 - calm, cool and collected.  Here you were after breakfast and outfit change and just waiting to get going.

You didn't go to school on Friday (day 5) because you had your 3-month check-up, plus Gong Gong and Pau Pau were coming to visit.  It was nice to have you around because Mommy has been missing you so much.  Even though you are doing well and Mommy is, in some ways, happy to be productive and go back to work, it is still hard not being able to spend all of her time with you.  We'll just have to make it for it with extra hugs and kisses whenever you and Mommy are together!!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

3 Months Old

Dear Noah,

Yesterday was your 3-month-old birthday!  We didn't do much to celebrate, but we did take you to Target for the first time.  Mommy loves Target (she used to work for them!) and was thrilled to show you how great of a store it is.

You were a bit unsure of the new surroundings and started getting a little bit fussy, so Daddy got you out of the stroller and held you as we shopped.  Daddy saw the price scanner and couldn't help himself...

You are, of course, priceless!  :)

Here is the "official" 3-month-old shot.  You wore the awesome onesie that Uncle Will got you from Shake Shack.  Hopefully you will graduate from being a small-sized fry to a larger-sized fry soon!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

A Few "First"s

Dear Noah,

We've had a number of "first"s for you these past couple of weeks:

1) First clothes shopping trip - you went with Mommy for a walk towards the beach and somehow we ended up at Old Navy.  Mommy decided that it was a good idea to pick up a few items for you since you are starting daycare.  You seemed cool with the idea of wearing stripes.  

Here we were at the checkout.

2) First time visiting Mommy's work - on Monday, Mommy took you to her office to visit her work colleagues.  You saw Mommy's office, met some of her work peeps, and even attended your first business meeting with Mommy's director!  You found out firsthand that when Mommy goes back to work, she will be taking on a new role and managing analytics for Brita, the water filter stuff.  You were well behaved and they all think you are pretty adorable.  We also went to lunch at Specialtys with Mommy's work friend Auntie Teresa.

Here you were riding the elevator up to the 20th floor to meet Clorox's Analytic Insights' management team.  You seemed nervous...

3). First transition week at daycare - we started taking you to "school" the week of September 16th.  Because it was the first week, we brought you there for a little bit longer everyday for the week so you can get used to the new environment and being away from Mommy.  On Monday, both Mommy and Daddy went with you to see where you'll spend your days and meet your teachers, Miss Martha and Miss Xuan (who is actually a teacher for the older baby room, but she was there substituting for Miss Phouc, your other teacher).  On Tuesday, Mommy dropped you off and let you stay there by yourself for an hour.  You did great - no crying or fussing - even though Mommy got sad and cried a little after leaving you.  She went and got breakfast and coffee before coming back to pick you up.  On Wednesday, you were there for about 3 hours and then nearly 6 hours on Friday. In general, you seem to have settled in just fine...except for the fact that you're not quite used to the excitement and noise from the other babies, so you haven't been napping very much and would come home exhausted.  Hopefully you will get used to it soon so you can nap properly while at school!

Mommy had been preoccupied when dropping you off/picking you up, so she hadn't taken any pictures of your school. She will be better about it next week!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

A Visit from Auntie Shauna

Dear Noah,

Auntie Shauna - another one of Mommy's dearest, oldest friends - came to visit you last week (Sep 5-7) from LA.  You LOVED meeting Auntie Shauna, smiling at her often while she held you, played with you and sang to you.

You guys hung out in our backyard while Mommy took a work call.  Look how happy you were, lounging in the shades!

Hopefully she will visit us again soon.  We love you, Auntie Shauna!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Sunday Brunch

Dear Noah,

A calm, happy Noah + beautiful Sunday morning = a walk with Daddy and Mommy to Park St for brunch!

Because it was a bit sunny, Daddy decided to give you his hat to protect you from the sun.  You looked good with the B hat!  Maybe we'll need to start getting you some Boston gear so you can root for the right teams.  :)

You napped during our walk over to Ole's, a quintessential diner here in Alameda, but you woke up once you got there and were intrigued by the sights and sounds of the bustling restaurant.

All the excitement meant you were tired and napped again on our way home.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Fascinated

Dear Noah,

About a week and a half ago (around week 7), you started having more quiet, alert moments when you observe or pay close attention to your surroundings.  

You enjoy looking at yourself in the mirror...

Or things that are black and white...

And you are very fascinated by things that are hanging above your head...

Mommy and Daddy love the last photo.  It's like you were at the aquarium or something.  :)

Love,

Mommy & Daddy