Away in a manger...

The past two weekends have been very FULL. Last weekend we were going to attend the ICS annual Thanksgiving dinner (celebrated a few days early due to an international conference happening on the actual day) but Simon spent the morning in the ER (so we opted to crash our neighbors celebration instead). We are thankful for Simon's life and health and NEVER want to go back to the ER again. It was a good reflection on being thankful for our little people's health and all they bring to our family.  During this season of life when little kids seem to take all our energy and our lives seem run by little crazy dictators we can't imagine our lives without Joy and Simon. They add so much life, excitement and laughter to our lives. They fill us with so much happiness and continually show us what God's unconditional love looks like.  

For those who don't know the whole story: He fell off the couch seat (Brad was right there in the living room playing with Joy and Simon climbs the couch all day long so we are not sure exactly what happened). His temple hit the floor, he stopped breathing, his eyes rolled back in his head, he didn't move for a few seconds. It was the scariest car ride to the ER, the whole time I was trying to keep him awake. The doctors said he had a concussion but the MRI showed no hemorrhage or skull fracture. Praise God! He was dizzy (kept falling over when he would walk) and a bit cranky the rest of the day but healed up just fine. Brad did so well under pressure .....I was a basket case. 

On actual Thanksgiving I cooked a small Thanksgiving dinner with a turkey breast and we decorated the house for Christmas. As you can see below Joy loves to play with her nativity. She thought that Noah's ark needed to come and see Jesus too. Since putting up the tree Joy has woken up everyday saying "its Christmas! We are going to see Grandma and Grandpa!" and every morning I tell her...well Christmas is still a long way away and grandma and grandpa don't come for a while (Dec 22!). Oh kids and the concept of time. 

Brad had Friday off so we took the chance to go to Disneyland on a week day (weekends are crazy busy with mainland tourists and Hong Kongers).

We all had a great time at Disneyland. We got there at opening so it wasn't too busy the weather was really warm and the kids did great. Joy got to ride many rides and LOVED everyone. We got to watch a show and the parade. Simon took a nap in the stroller. Joy got to meet Winnie the Pooh....she was so happy to get her picture taken with him.  She didn't want to leave....that coupled with no nap made for a pretty sad goodbye to the happiest place on earth. 

Simon watched Joy and daddy go on this one...I thought it was a little too high for this dare devil baby who likes to hurl himself off of high places (as you can tell we are still getting over the trip to the ER). 

Jungle boat tour...the animals were a hit...the ending with fire explosions made Joy pretty scared. Simon wasn't phased at all. 

Even though Joy loves the rides, she didn't want to ride a horse, she wanted to sit with daddy on the bench.

Dumbo ride (above) Slinky dog ride (below)

Joy fell asleep on the way home and then slept for over 12 hours that night. A fun fun day! 

Simon is 15 months

Simon is a busy boy. He is a quick and confident walker/runner and is into everything. He has a very affectionate and sweet disposition. He gives the greatest kisses all day long.

What Simon is doing

• Simon is everywhere and into everything.He is quite the explorer.  If he isn't trying to wake up Joy by banging on her door, he is trying to get into the trash can, scale a table OR trying to "pet" and "kiss" the dog...which the dog hates. 
• Stands at the balcony and waves to everyone passing by. 
• He stayed with the kids at mom's group for 15 minutes. 
• Like to put things into bigger containers
• Can maneuver all playground equipment (slides, stairs) alone 

What Simon is saying 

Simon understand so much of what we say to him and about him.

*ga: garbage  
*ck : means trash can or yuck
*ma ma: Mamma and MORE food
*da da: dog and daddy
* ba ba: bye bye followed by standing by the door and saying ba ba until we leave. He actually starts to bay ba ba as soon as I put pants on him after his nap because he knows we usually go out.

He enjoys the rare bath experience where he doesn't have to share with Joy (as you can see there is really only room for one in that bath...so usually they shower together). 

Teeth:6 teeth.. No new ones since July! ** update as of Nov 20 he has two molars popping through (one top one bottom). 

Eats:

Nursing: two months of no nursing. He loves cow milk and drinks an ok amount during the day.
Solid food: Simon is a good eater but is super slow. We usually think he is done and realize he is just slow.  

• Loves: bananas (he can eat 2-3 a day!).  green&keifer smoothies (he smiles and cheers the whole time I'm making them in the morning). Pasta and vegetables. Drinking with a straw 
• Verdict is still out on: beans and will only eat eggs occasional. 

Eating a hash brown with daddy at 6am...one of daddy's many schemes to help Joy and I sleep in the morning without Simon's noise!

Sleeps:   He wakes up at 5 am or 5:30am. He sleeps at night for 10-10.5hours. It is kind on the low average for his age but we can't seem to break it. He goes to bed at 6:45 usually. This last week we had three days where he slept until 6am and it was amazing. 

He naps at 9am and 1pm. 1-1.5 hours each time. A couple times this week he didn't want to take his morning nap but then still only slept an 1:10 in the afternoon and was unbearable in the early evening. If his schedule is shifting it is going to be a bumpy ride.

Weighs: 20.5 Lbs

Likes: 

- Doing whatever Joy is doing! Recently Simon really wants to be with Joy and play with her. However he doesn't quite understand the game she is playing and tends to just mess up her stuff. So there is some conflict these days between the two of them. 

-Trash cans: points to and tells me about everyone we pass. 

-The balcony; watching dogs people and construction.

-Being outside (playgrounds, walks, the roof) : Now that the weather is nicer we are going to the roof more. He would happily play there all day.

-Shoes! He loves trying on daddy's shoes

- Books: Simon's interest is growing in books. He still loves lift/flap books and touch and feel books the best.

Dislikes: He dislikes being very far from mommy.  He also dislikes it when Joy sleeping while he is awake. He as been sick a lot more than Joy mainly fevers and runny noses. He doesn't really handle being sick as well as Joy does.

Favorite event this month: First Halloween party! 

November

November has brought cooler weather (and a lot of pollution from China). We are enjoying being outside on not so polluted days. It is starting to feel more like fall which is exciting! Brad has started playing Christmas music and Joy got a Christmas sticker book in the mail. Very Fun! 

Here are some pics from the last week

We enjoyed a cool and windy picnic up on tai mo Shan. 

Out on a walk... Joy's doll and stroller had to come along. 

Joy got to play with a doll house and she instantly fell in love. She has been talking about it for days. Looks like we know what to get her for Christmas! 

Joy loves to play with her Dino family. She was playing at the dining table because Simon kept messing up her system!