In each other's presence

The days are a blur, and I find myself neglecting to sufficiently capture everyday moments. The kids grow, learn, and accomplish new milestones at light speed. Sometimes I forget how blessed I am to witness them all in the cyclical routine of comforting, feeding, carrying, changing, teaching, tending, cleaning, rearranging, hosting, visiting, and traversing. These days, Valor is at the age where he crawls throughout the house after his sister to play alongside her. Serene is beside herself that she has a legitimate playmate at moment's notice. They giggle at one another during meals. Serene requests that Valor plays with her in her big girl bed, or "house bed." They spend much time babbling to one another, often with their stuffies in tow: Valor's puppy, Jean Valjean, and Serene's kitties, Cosette and Eponine. What joy to observe them foster their shared childhood.

The silliest month

Second time around, and nine months is still my favorite stage of the first year of life. We are enjoying Valor so much. He's silly, vocal, cuddly, oblivious, mobile, and so sweet. Valor's stuffed pup, Jean Valjean, stays faithfully by his side when he naps or sleeps. When Valor's awake, his big sister is his favorite playmate. I snapped these pictures as Serene ran into the kids' room to greet her little brother. As evidenced by Valor's huge grins, he is always ever glad to see her.

Orange you glad we're friends?

Serene is all about oranges, the color orange, and her friends these days, so these (as inspired by this) were the perfect non-candy valentines to whip up for her classmates at our church's children's program's Valentine's party tonight. Valor kept trying to snatch up the orange valentines as I was snapping pictures; that chubby baby hand is irresistible!

Heralding Chinese New Year

Ringing in Chinese New Year at Disney's California Adventure for family day yesterday was a fortuitous opportunity we heard about just the day before. We contemplated dressing the kids in their traditional outfits, but Alex suggested we dress Serene up in a Mulan costume instead. I thought it was the most brilliant idea, especially when we learned there would be a Mulan parade. Mulan was Serene's first favorite character; she has a Mulan dress from the Disney Store that she received last fall, but I had been wanting to make her one that looks more authentic. I thrifted a pale pink robe for $2.50 a few months ago that I wanted to transform into a Mulan dress eventually. I altered it so it would look like Mulan's, and added the blue and burgundy accents. I had planned to finish the costume for Serene's Valentine's gift, but I wrapped it up in a frenzy late Sunday night instead so it would be ready for our trip to DCA for Lunar New Year. Serene adored looking like a mini Mulan while ambling around Disney. Mulan spotted her mini-me in Serene and singled her out during the parade to bid her hello, which totally made Serene's day. Besides napping half the time we were there, Valor amiably soaked in the sights, sounds, and sensations of his first Chinese New Year celebration in the security of our arms. Sharing our culture with the kids in this way was a special experience. Now, if only we could also teach them some Chinese!