What every working mom needs is a humanlike computer-based assistant. To do all the extra things that get in the way of spending what few hours are left after the work day with kids.

My ideal robot assistant does not have emotions, but can make sound decisions without me having to direct it much. For ex, it should know what useless things in the house can be donated or thrown away and then it actually going out to take action. My robot assistant would not be having much interaction with the kids -- it would not be a babysitter. But it would watch my kids when I need to shower and no one else is home. It doesn't even need to cook, but it needs to clean up after each time we eat meals. You know-- doing things that really just take time away from the kids.

Working moms all around the world deserve one.

Well, it's well past Christmas but my dear sweet Aubrey has been looking for "tanta." It's the first thing that comes out of her mouth in the mornings. Perhaps, tanta is the only thing she really remembered because of his beard and red suit. Whenever she sees her picture with Santa (she's crying in it), she laughs. 

Ok, girl. Let's see how you'll like Santa this year when you see him face to face again on Christmas. 

I'm so so so in love with my girl. She's lovely.

And here is another Christmas! We didn't have much time to send out cards or put on decorations besides the tree and the Nativity scene. 

While we don't want to push a commercial-hungry season, we did get the kids some toys that we swore off for the most part of this year. We don't buy them toys all the time (or we try not to), but what really is Christmas if we passed on the gifts? Even Jesus got gifts. And well, the underlying meaning of the season is to give... so take note, people: it's ok to give. Just don't go crazy with buying for yourselves even though it's tempting with all the sales out there. The kids are now quite familiar with Santa, but today I explained in the simplest words why there is a Christmas. And I will be doing this for the rest of 2011 so by next year, the kids will associate Jesus more than Santa with Christmas. 

Many will criticize that this holiday is overly-commercialized and so they un-celebrate it by using other terms to greet with. Which is true. But hey, for those of us who know why we're celebrating this holiday in the first place, don't be scared to use the word CHRISTMAS. If you don't want to participate in buying a gift, that's fine. But don't knock those who actually do BUY so they have something to GIVE. I do hate shopping any time of the year, but I buy gifts with meaning or use or would stir a laugh or create genuine happiness; I don't like to buy a gift just to buy something that would be left unopened. And for those who aren't even Christians yet are celebrating the holiday or greeting those of us that celebrate it, that's cool too. But I hope they understand why we have this holiday. If you just want to be a scrooge or a grinch, then that's how you feel.... but can you not spread that around? ;-) I'm not sure what good it does to make people somber. We want to be happy all year long, but since we're not, Christmas is here to hopefully cheer everyone up together. 

With that said, Merry Merry Christmas from our family to yours. 

End of Year Reflections

I haven't done one of these since 2006 but I will attempt to do it now. Here is our 2010! 

In January, we finally had our first meeting with Bryce. He is my Godson, and the BFF of Aubrey and best pal of Gerard. We weren't able to visit him at birth, and they didn't get to visit us during Aubrey's birth, so this picture here marks our first gathering with the kids. 

February was my last month of my maternity leave. It had been weeks of juggling the new 2-kid lifestyle :) It wasn't very easy, and having had the power to make them nap together just like this was a big break for me. Although at this time, Aubrey wasn't napping for long periods of time so I didn't have that much time to do everything I needed. It was a choice between cooking Gerard's lunch, eating my lunch, napping with them, or just doing nothing. 

Oh look! Our little girl is responding to the camera! I returned to work in the last part of February, and so, I was always missing my babygirl (and my boy, too). 

In April, we saw two big events: Gerard's 2nd birthday and Aubrey's baptism. In order to kill 2 birds with one stone, we celebrated these on the same day. Aubrey looked ever pretty in her gown, and Gerard had a grand time blowing out his candles! Thanks to Winnie for this picture.

For Memorial Day, we took the kids to Crissy Field for a fogged up time at the beach. As cold as it was, our adventurous Gerard took a dip in the dirty bay waters. It didn't seem to bother him. This photo captures his personality! Asked him to smile, and he did this. It was his thing at the time. 

It seems we're building an annual tradition in taking a walk through the Letterman building park area in the Presidio every June. Last year, I was a few months pregnant and I made a daring walk from the car where we parked. This year, Aubrey joined us. We are deep into family time, and this was a great day for the fam.

We decided to host 4th of July because of our spectacular view. It was kind of cold, but we had our gathering outside in front of our house so everyone could enjoy the cold air and the nice SF view. I was hoping that the party could go on till late at night so we could watch the fireworks but everyone left early, and we caught the fireworks from inside the house since it was so cold out. 

The weather started to get nice in August, and there was a day we took the kids on a nice scenic drive down Hwy 1 to Half Moon Bay. We didn't stop because I remembered a park in San Mateo that I wanted to take the kids to. So we continued on Hwy 92 to San Mateo. At the park, Gerard had a wonderful time getting sunburned and wet with all the other kids. Aubrey, on the other hand, was protected from the sun and so she just stayed in the stroller. This photo above had nothing to do with this day. I chose this because it was the funniest thing in my world. Aubrey got her paws on some green marker and decided to eat it. Here was the result!

Labor Day graced us with a semi-nice day (a bit cold but it was clear and sun all out!) so we packed up the kids for a picnic at Crissy Field. I really love how we could park right next to our table! Made it easy to set up and hang out in the car's shade as needed. This was our last summer hurrah so we took all advantage of it.

October was a very eventful month. We took the kids to SuperFranks' in Dublin to play indoors. It was Fleet Week also, so we took the kids to Crissy Field again to watch the planes. Gerard played at the beach area, while Aubrey mostly stayed on our picnic mat. Then we went to Joan's Pumpkin Farm somewhere out in Livermore. Gerard had a great time pulling his pumpkin. The photo above captures the excitement by Aubrey when I first took her to the California Academy of Sciences. She was practically jumping out of her stroller. She had this happiest face I've seen, which just softened me up so much. She was dressed as Cinderella and Gerard was Indiana Jones at CAS for their Halloween weekend. On Halloween night, we took the kids trick or treating in the Fillmore and they had a nice time learning the American Halloween tradition. 

Is it already near Christmas? We had a quiet Thanksgiving at the house with the relatives. But no nice pictures came out of that. On the same weekend, I took the kids to the mall and Santa was there, so it had to be done: Aubrey's first and Gerard's second Santa pic. She hated it, and he just didn't care. Here is my own picture of them, but I also paid for the official copy. And so it was snapped: Aubrey crying and Gerard stuck his tongue out. I do love these kids.

Our babygirl completed her 12 months! Here is our December photo at her birthday party. 

This wraps up our 2010. Christmas hasn't happened yet, but you bet we will enjoy it.

"is it safe to tell my friends i'm pregnant?"

I had my annual check up yesterday and on my way out, I heard a newly-expecting mom ask this.
For some reason, hearing it made me very happy for her. The excitement of finding out your pregnant and the entire ride of it all.

She was advised that maybe only close friends for now should know, so they're aware and help take care of her.
it was sound advice.

I remember being secretive about mine only because I didn't want to make a big announcement. The news just sort of trickled through my friends. OK well I did shoot out an email to my closest friends and family.

I do wish for all expecting moms to have a safe and joyous pregnancy. I just wanted to share the bit of happiness that cane over me yesterday.

Thoughts on the past 12 months...

Our daughter Aubrey celebrated her first earthyear on December 2, 2010. She had a nice little family party 2 days later (thanks grandma and grandpa for being so kind as to host and plan the menu). Everyday I look at her, my love always feels so renewed and fresh, and I know you other parents can relate.

Her birth feels like it just happened. I clearly remember when and how I realized I was in labor; the long trek to get to the hospital; and then, the news that she needed surgery on her 3rd day. It was exactly a year ago today, 12/5/10, when we were already in the first night of her recovery. She had needles and IV and all kinds of tubes going through her. It was a heartbreaking sight, but we knew she was going to be OK. I will never forget that whole week when I gave birth to her and when she was in surgery and the following days of recovery. Again, I will always feel indebted to our family for the love and taking care of Gerard while we had to be with Aubrey in the hospital; my friends who gave their support and kept me from feeling alone (granted, it was via text messaging and chats -- I didn't entertain any visitors except for our parents because I wasn't in the mood to be far in thoughts from Aubrey); the wonderful doctors and nurses whose hands we entrusted to save and monitor our babygirl's well-being; our boy Gerard for hanging in there while mama and papa were mostly gone and not spending much time with him for a month (3 weeks before birth, we had moved from an apartment to a house so we were busy packing and cleaning and sending him off with grandparents); and my hubby for being by my side throughout our hospital stay. Even though he had to go to work, he stayed with me and Aubrey in the hospital right after work, but he also made sure that Gerard got to see him everyday by visiting him. It was a personal hell for me to be away from Gerard and not being together for another week after Aubrey was born, but I am very grateful that she was in very good hands.

When we finally went home for good, my chaotic life got even more chaotic with two kids. But I don't ever want it any other way. I hardly ever say it outloud, but my love for my family is deeper than anything I've been in.

I couldn't be any prouder as a parent based on our weekend.

I took the kids and myself to our annual eye check up: Gerard's second and Aubrey's first. Aubrey was a bit difficult to examine, but doctor got a decent look at her, and said everything looks good based on that. We will try again next year!

Gerard did very well. At first, he was hesitant to have his eyes photographed by an assistant. So doctor took him in right away as they had techniques for younger patients. He had to show doctor which directions the hands were pointing. That was cute. 

Later that afternoon, Gerard and I had dental appointments. He did very, very well. Our dentist was very glad to have a patient like him at that age -- she said that he was very cooperative and he was. He let her clean his teeth without a fuss. It helped a whole lot that I had him sit in the corner and watch me while I was being worked on. 

I forget which doctor it was now who commented that he had very good speech at his age. We try not to speak in baby tongue to either child. It works.

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Lately, we've been having to correct Gerard in saying his name. He switches speaking in 1st and 3rd persons, and when he does 3rd, he tends to say his name as "Jard" or "Jad." i.e. "Jard want that" -- to which we ask immediately: "what's your name?" He would then respond with, "Gerard. Not Jid." Cute! But now he's been playing games with us. He tells us his name is Jid. 

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This morning, Aubrey was crying her usual for her morning milk. I tried to calm her down by saying "come on, girl!" while her papa got up to prepare a bottle. She eventually stopped crying and started to mimic me with her own version of "come on, girl!" I love her.