New Addition: Landon

Landon was expected to arrive on March 14, 2012; he came a week early.   Monday, March 5th, the day I planned to be the last day at work.  I thought that I would have a week to bundle with Ethan and Evan before Landon's arrival, but...

I worked up until 6:00 P.M.  I went to the bathroom more than the usual all day.  I thought my body was preparing for labor.  Indeed!  I was carpooling with my husband.  On the way home, I felt some crampings and I kept looking at the clock, timing the contractions.  My water broke in the restroom at home.  I eat my dinner.  Told my family that I would have a baby tonight.  I went upstair, took a shower and the crampings were getting worse.  I yelled to my husband to get the camera ready.  I quickly packed up some clothes and was ready in the car waiting for my husband. 

Thanh drove madly to the hospital.  We made it just in time.

Striped Frames Boy Birth Announcement

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Celebrating Evan

Evan was born on New Year day, 1/1/2010.  He is turning 2 this year.  It could not be any better to celebrating the New Year and his birthday at the same time.

We had enough of Konditor Meister cakes this year between family and extended family birthdays.  I am not so fond of Chinese birthday cakes nor the Supermarket's.   I caught a glimpse of this Hummingbird cake in the Cosmopolitan November 2011 issue and I was tempted to make a birthday cake for Evan.  It labeled as Food 101 so it was perfect.  What's yummier that listed on the ingredients were mashed bananas and crushed pineapple.  If you know me, the only things I baked so far were chocolate chip cookies and banana bread.  Last Christmas I mentioned about baking holiday cookies to my husband and my mom; both turned it down.  They afraid to be my guinea pig :). 

I talked of baking a birthday cake for Evan to one of my friends and took her advise, "Tran, you can do it, just don't alter or cut back on the sugar or butter.  Follow the recipe exactly."  I went out and bought everything from kosher salt to pure vanilla extract but skipped the bourbon.  My baking began on Saturday morning, New Year Eve- the day we celebrated Evan's birthday.

All I can say is it did not look as pretty as in the magazine but it tasted wonderful.  I got a "Yummm" from Evan when he took his first bite and continued finishing his piece.  The recipe was a keeper now.

:: Evan: Janie and Jack sweater.  :: Ethan: H&M shirt.

Christmas 2011 Recap

Ethan was more aware this year about Santa.  He had been counting days for Santa to come and asked questions like, "What is Santa doing today?", "Where is the North Pole?."  His face lighted up when he first saw his stocking filled with art & craft and a letter from Santa.  His mouth dropped when he caught a sight under the Christmas tree.  Ethan got what he wanted: Captain America mask and shield.
Evan on the other hand was careless.  He did not even bother about ripping off the wrapping paper.  He was happy playing with the camera.

  

New Year Wish List

Ethan and Evan 's birthdays are coming up.  I want them to have a new outfit for their birthday and plan to take them to the photo studio as I usually do for them every year.  Last year, they wore formal outfits with tie, vest, and jackets.  These items below are on my wish list for them this year.

:: Jean, shirt, and shoe are from H&M.  Sweater: Cherokee, Target.

 

 

Holiday Photo Session

I am so glad that we did not have to rush into the photo studio this year.  We went out on our own term.  I wanted to take pictures of Ethan and Evan marking the end of the year, plus for X'mas card as well.   It was cold but we had such a great time.  Husband was able to capture some candid shots and I was, of course, directing :) 

Location: JFK Library


The Background

Photo Session began...

::Ethan: H&M corduroy pant & bow tie, Oshkosh shirt, Old Navy cardigan, Shoe: Target, Janie&Jack hat, Tommy Kid jacket.



Our final product...HAPPY HOLIDAYS to All!

Family Fun Time in Houston, TX

We had fun in Houston.  Grandpa had trouble with his leg so we could not make all the stops intended.  Ethan and Evan were great travelers.  We visited the Vietnam Temple in Houston, looked at a few model homes (homes are so affortable in Houston), and dined many Vietnamese restaurants on Bellair Blvd.  When grandpa condition got better, we drove to San Antonio and visited Galveston.  Ethan had a theme, tebowing (copying a Bronco quarterback Tim Tebow) every where we went.

  :: On Ethan: Crazy8 T-shirt & short. :: Evan: His outfit is from Target.  All polos are from TJMaxx.

:: Ethan: H&M short, Oshkosh's stripe shirt, shoe: Target.  :: Evan: H&M short and Polo shirt, shoe: Carter's.

                 :: Evan: shirt: H&M, short: The Children's Place.

  :: These white tuxedo shirts are from H&M's last year holiday collection including the black & silver bow   tie.  Ethan's tie: J-Crew.

Fall In Stripes

Ethan is getting so tall.  I just picked up 2 pairs of jean, 1 corduroy, and one twill pants for Ethan at H&M.  We are preparing for a trip to TX this Thursday.  Ethan had a chance to try his cord last weekend at his cousin's -Charlotte's birthday.  Evan matched his brother with hand me down.