More delicious treats

Natalie really loves to eat! She's not a skinny girl (and not fat) and we've never had trouble getting her to eat. She especially loves to eat "treats" which include everything from craisins to cookies to buns (chinese bakery style) and of course, cupcakes! We've also discovered that she loves apple crumble tarts.

Watch Video 251 of Natalie eating her first apple crumble tart.

The only thing Natalie still doesn't realize she can eat... candy! We're going to try and keep it that way for as long as possible :)

Natalie sees her cousins frequently and she has come to know them very well and is excited whenever we meet up. When we are on the computer looking at videos and photos, she yells and calls out their names whenever we see them. Vanessa is a great older cousin, always holding hands with Natalie when we are out walking together.

Also see Video 250 of Natalie bouncing on a ball with Carol yee-yee and Nicholas. Carol yee-yee says the rule is Natalie must say "bounce" to keep bouncing.

Natalie and Vanessa walking together in City Plaza.


I made them stop for a photo. Vanessa makes the best funny faces for pictures!


Natalie is so happy to be with her cousins.


They give each other a BIG hug. Look at how tall Vanessa is.

The hug becomes a little too enthusiastic and they stumble around a little, doing a "hug dance".

Some observations

Some cute little things we've noticed about Natalie...

She likes to sits with one leg up (almost always unless we tell her to put her leg down). Lisa yee-yee, any idea where / who she got this from?

She likes going to school and loves following the routines. So far, she still says "yes!" when we ask if she likes going to school.

Natalie loves to wear things on her head. She likes to put pants, books, cups and stuffed animals on her head and call them her "book hat" or her "doll hat" or her "pants hat". But sometimes, she doesn't like to wear her "real hat".

Natalie loves to sit in her highchair and watch us cook. Last weekend, I made very thick oatmeal for her and asked her to help me "cook" it by adding more water and stirring it with a spoon. She ate it by herself, too.

She has no upper eyelids, the smoothest skin, and looks super sincere when looking at her from up close.

Sticker pics!

A couple weeks ago, we took sticker pics with the entire "Tong" sisters' families including all 3 mommies, the 3 daddies, and the 4 bubs. Somehow, we all managed to fit inside the sticker picture booth. It was a small miracle that everyone was cooperative and no one started crying. Look how great it turned out!

Cool tots

This weekend, all of Natalie's first cousins Vanessa, Victoria and Nicholas came over for a play date. They all loved Natalie's numerous sunglasses and they all put them on and willingly posed for pictures.

Loved how cool Victoria looks, chilling with the sunglasses, pigtails and a pacifier.


Natalie is trying to make the "peace" sign, but can only get 5 fingers or 1 finger, but not 2.


Ok everyone make a funny face! (Victoria has the same finger coordination issues like Natalie.)


Victoria making a funny face. No pacifier!


Victoria and Natalie chilling. "Wut? Yo, wuddup?"

Just kidding, we're really good friends!

Natalie making a great funny face!

Natalie hugging Victoria.

Nicholas got in the sunglasses action, too!

Dancing with toy guitar

Natalie loves to dance. Whenever music is playing, she starts to move, even if it's just swaying on the spot (when sitting down). Watch Video 249 of Natalie dancing with a toy guitar we bought from her favourite restaurant... McDonald's!

Cousins Photos!

Over the weekend, we went with all of Natalie's cousins to Megabox (Kowloon Bay) where we drove up 16 stories to park (really) and then took sticker pics together! Here are the kiddies together in the booth waiting patiently as the adults figure out how to work the machine.

From left to right: Victoria, Natalie, Vanessa, and Nicholas. So cute to have them all together!


Vanessa makes some great funny faces!


They all got lots of balloons from McDonald's and Dan Ryans. All kids love balloons, although I think Natalie only likes them because the other kids do, too.


Natalie is captivated by the video screen.

Uh oh, Victoria wants her mommy. Natalie is busy looking at something on the floor. Vanessa is playing with her balloon. Nicholas is chilling, stuck in a photo booth with 3 girls.

Doesn't it look like Natalie has a ponytail? She's borrowed hair from Victoria.

School Videos

Here are videos from Natalie's first day at school. Tomorrow is her first day at school BY HERSELF! We cannot accompany her for the full 1.5 hours tomorrow. Hope it goes well!

Watch Video 247 of Natalie getting ready for her first day of school. She is really excited and happy to be going. She loves her uniform and her new shoes and socks and school bag.

Watch Video 248 of Natalie in school during a singing session. It's all really new to her and her classmates but they hold up surprisingly well (only a few criers here and there). See how happy and excited the parents were? That was me, too!

First Day of School!

Today was Natalie's very FIRST day of school! Here are some photos (videos to come):

Natalie putting on her official school uniform. It's a little big, but we think she'll quickly grow into it.


When asked if she likes her uniform, her answer was a resounding "Yes!".


Natalie examines her uniform. Her new white socks are laid out and ready to wear.


The socks are on! Natalie waits patiently for her shoes.

She is really excited to be going to school (finally, after all the talking and books and videos!)

Time for her new black, mary-jane-style shoes. They're velcro so easy on and off for her.

All ready! Natalie gives a big smile to the camera.

She gives a little wave, too.

The bag is a little big for her...

Natalie says, "So heavy!" (about her bag). Inside her bag are extra diapers, wet wipes, her books, and a sweater.

Natalie is in her stroller and on her way to school (it's walking distance).

On the way... Natalie is in the stroller. It was hot and crowded in the morning.

Natalie's school (Kiangsu Chekiang Nursery & Primary) is just up the hill.

Natalie is inside the classroom for the first time. To entice all the children, they scattered toys all over the tables. Natalie did not sit down and play right away. She was too busy looking around and asking "What's that?"

Natalie has her very own seat at the table with her name and photo!

We lean in close for a first picture of Natalie and me at school.


Natalie's friend, Summer, is in the same class! Here they are hanging out and playing with a princess castle.

They also sit next to each other! But we missed Siena who was in another class :(

Look at all the excited parents. (They probably all have a picture of me, too!) Natalie was acting too cool for school here.

Later, the kiddies all sit down for a story and singing session.