Natalie is a work of art

Playing with Natalie

Every day, Natalie becomes more expressive and more responsive when we play with her. Here is a sequence of Natalie's expressions while playing with her Daddy.

Natalie looking at the camera. She's very curious about it now.


Daddy Clark has attracted Natalie's attention.


Natalie is smiling at her Daddy's funny expressions.


Natalie is laughing (silently) when her Daddy blows on her face.

Video 26 - Natalie Swimming

Natalie's first swim

Today we filled the bathtub and Natalie had her first swim with her Daddy. She really likes the water! We also put a baby neck float on her and let her kick and swim on her own. Natalie seems to really enjoy being in the water. She's a real water baby!

See Natalie swim in Video 26.

Poo baby

Today, during her morning feed, Natalie did a BIG POO on Tracy's leg and on our bed. We had to wash her, change her clothes, change the sheets, and wash the bed. She's a poo baby! We figure by putting her in long pants with tight leggings maybe next time if the poo squeezes out of her diaper it won't squeeze out of her clothes (self-contained explosion).

Baby proportions

Someone's arms are getting longer. Look, they stretch over the top of her head now! She's a growing girl. Last week at the doctors she weighed 12.5 lbs :)

A lazy saturday...

Today we are enjoying a lazy Saturday day. It's so nice to sleep, eat, watch TV, and just hang out with each other today. Here is our little family chilling on the couch together.

Haa... goo!

Ever since Natalie found her voice, she has been a real chatterbox, especially in the mornings. She likes to say the same things over and over again, especially the words "haa" and "goo" which are her favourite.

Here she is chatting with her mommy Tracy this morning in Video 25.

Natalie and her toes

Someone's got cute little toes :)

Also, check out this cute Video 24 of Natalie pooing.

Where Natalie sleeps

A few people have asked where Natalie sleeps. The short answer is Natalie sleeps everywhere (in our arms, on the sofa, on our laps, in her car seat, etc...) But at night, we put Natalie in our room in her moses basket which fits perfectly into a little cubby hole (which is supposed to fit an old-school tv). Don't worry, it's quite deep so it's unlikely the basket will fall out :)

On top of her moses basket, Tracy drew a little picture for Natalie. We put her down fully awake and Natalie smiles and talks to the picture and eventually drifts off to sleep.

Here are pics of her basket and the picture.

Smile!

TV Junkie... caught in the act!

Natalie loves to watch TV. She loves to sit on her daddy's lap and watch with us, or when we put on "Baby TV" (special channel designed for babies with music, high-pitched voices, and colourful repetition... not recommended for sane adults).
Even when we're watching TV and put her down to lie next to us, she will crane her neck so she can watch too!

Look how strong her back and neck are... she can now sit propped up on her own.

I'm bored!

Natalie was a bit bored today and when she complained, Tracy thought it would be fun to film her. In Video 23, you can watch Natalie "been jure" at the camera and complain at Tracy about being left lying down on the couch. She just wants someone to hold her and play with her :)

Also, we captured a classic Natalie move... she cries a little and before she can work herself up, she chokes a little and surprises herself. Hehe, she does this all the time... finally caught it on video!

(Don't worry, no babies were harmed in the making of this video. After filming, Tracy picked Natalie up and she was all smiles again!)

Natalie doesn't like construction noises

A neighbour is having some construction work done in their apartment. The sound of drilling and hammering can be heard in our apartment loud and clear. Here is a short video of Natalie nervously eating her hands and making faces at the construction noises.

Enjoy this Video 22.

Does this outfit make me look fat?

Tell me honestly...


Does this outfit make me look fat?


Do my thighs look ok?

Bumbo Sitter Video

Here is a short video of Natalie enjoying her bumbo sitter. She looks so tiny! Just like a little person sitting in a chair (except she can't sit up on her own just yet). Natalie has also started to recognize that sounds belong to people and things (like the tv) and turns her head toward noise. That's why she loves to sit in her bumbo sitter because she can actually see what's going on instead of just lying around staring at the ceiling :)

Video 21

Natalie and her cousin Vanessa

Vanessa is a super older cousin to Natalie. Although she's only 15 months old, Vanessa always asks to see "beh-beh" when she visits. She also gives gentle kisses to Natalie whenever she can, even going so far as to sneak a kiss on Natalie's legs which were sticking out from under a blanket! Natalie loves to look at Vanessa, too. Maybe she recognizes that Vanessa is a baby, too :)

Bumbo Baby Sitter

Today Natalie went to the baby store to try out the Bumbo Seat. We heard excellent reviews from Tracy's mommy group and they suggested she go and try it out at the store... Natalie loved it! It's a specially designed chair that allows young babies (who can't sit up by themselves) to sit up and see the world.

Here is Natalie smiling in her chair as she plays with her Daddy.

Natalie and Us

Yesterday, we said farewell to the last of our "baby visitors" and now we are all "alone" with Natalie and entirely responsible for her well-being. It's a big task, but we've really come a long way and Natalie is such a good baby.

Here she is with big silent smiles in Video 20.

Natalie napping with her Mom on the sofa. She loves to nap and sleeps about 18 hours a day!


Natalie watching TV with her Dad. She loves TV!

Farewell to Tongs

Today, Gramma and Grampa Tong left to return to Toronto. It was wonderful having them in town... nothing beats having family around to help and support and just enjoy each other's company.

Thanks Gramma and Grampa, we'll miss you! But we'll also see everyone again soon in Sept/Oct when we come to Toronto for a visit. See you soon!

Natalie, Gramma Tong, Vanessa, and Grampa Tong at the Airport Express

Enjoying a relaxing lunch at JW Marriott

Aunties Carol and Lisa spending quality time with their niece Natalie

Happy 2-month Birthday!

Today is Natalie's 2-month birthday. Time is passing so fast and she is growing so quickly. Natalie got her 2-month shots (2 needles!) at the doctors today (poor baby) but we also had the chance to weigh and measure her. She is now 12.10 pounds ... that's heavier than 80% other babies her age. And her head is 40cm around ... that's bigger than 90% other babies her age!

Natalie is officially a BEAST! Yay :)

Here is photo of her in her basket as a baby (taken 2 days after she was born) and contrast it with the photo taken this morning. It's amazing, she has gained almost 50% of her birth weight in just 2 months. Go Beast!

June 12, 2007 - Natalie peacefully asleep in her new basket



August 10, 2007 - Natalie peacfully asleep in the same moses basket

Natalie is a clean baby

Natalie is an uber clean baby. She demands to be changed immediately after wetting or filling her diapers (even if it's just a little bit wet) and she loves to bathe. After a bath, she's always in a great mood. Here she is enjoying being swaddled by a soft towel after her bath.

Talking with Gramma Tong

Natalie is going to be a chatterbox. Watch her excitedly trying to talk with her Gramma Tong in this Video 19.

Wang family visitors

Last night, Clark's uncle and his family popped over for a quick visit and met Natalie for the first time. It was great to see their family again and fun to introduce Natalie to her grand-uncle (san soo) and grand-auntie (sen sen) and her uncles (Clark's little and not-so-little cousins Allen, Andrew, and Alvin). Here are photos from the night:

Natalie discovers her hands

We think Natalie has finally understood that those two strange-shaped objects that fly around her head and occasionally hit her in the face are actually her hands! Here are 2 videos of Natalie using her hands:

Video 17 - Natalie eating her hands (very short clip... ran out of memory!)

Video 18 - Natalie on her new playmat... watch her bat at objects with her hands.

Little Miss.Piggy

Name that chubbster

Somebody has been gaining weight (11 lbs now!) and getting lots of fat folds all over her body. Can you "Name That Chubbster"? Here are a few clues:

Chubby little arms topped by sexy chin and neck folds

Check out those chubby fingers and thigh folds!


Yes, it's Natalie!

Here she is hanging with her Daddy. She also took this opportunity to poo all over Daddy's shorts :)

Farewell to Wangs

Yesterday, Uncle Alex and Gramma Wang returned to Toronto. It has been absolutely fantastic having them in Hong Kong to share in and support the arrival of Natalie. We (and Natalie) will miss them! Here are some last minute Wang moments captured with Natalie:

Video 16 - Big smiles with Gramma Wang

Uncle Alex, Gramma Wang, Clark and Tracy with Natalie


Uncle Alex slinging Natalie around (it's not what it sounds like!).


Uncle Alex chilling with Natalie.