Last night my big little girl celebrated a huge milestone: pooping in the potty for her very first time! 

It was unprompted (well, after a couple weeks of renewed encouragement for her to try) and happened just after lights off. She declared that she felt like pooping, and she wanted to do it in the toilet. I was already half asleep and not that inclined to get up for a false alarm, but I’m glad that I did!

I’m not sure which of us was more excited and proud. Well okay, I’m pretty sure it was me! Jimmy’s lucky I didn’t take a photo of the poops themselves, which I was tempted to do. I mean, they were pretty big! And made such a loud plopping noise when they hit the water that Zoe’s eyes got big and she demanded to know, “What’s that?!” 

And when one of the poops kind of disintegrated when she flushed, turning the water brown, she looked at me with concern. To which I said, “Bye bye poop!”

Here’s the little one’s victory dance:



Walking home from Zoe’s preschool open house earlier today:

Daddy: Zoe, do you want to hold my hand?

Zoe (declining the offer as she passes him by): I’m good. 



Jimmy and I have been floored this past month by the stuff that’s been coming out of this one’s mouth. I swear it’s like talking to a mini teenager. 

She makes up full-fledged songs and stories, takes and fulfills orders from her kitchen, talks about her day, her faves and her feelings about things…I just wish I could record every single moment. 

Not to mention, she’s been the sweetest big sister since the new arrival of baby sis. More on this later!

I know Christmas is about more than just presents, but the gift part is just so much more entertaining through an excited toddler’s eyes.

Zoe had a blast on Christmas Day opening her countless boxes of gifts, like this little piggy bank from Daddy!!

This week we’ve been showered with love…and apologies!

Zoe’s started freely expressing, “I love you, Mommy!” especially right before bed. And often requests a “hud”, “tiss” and a high-five at the same time.

That melts my heart. The other thing that softens this sucker up is her sugary sweet, “Sorry Mommy!” when she does something bad. To date it’s meant immediate forgiveness, but at the rate she’s going, something’s gonna have to give. This kid’s trouble! ;P

…than hearing your babe wake up singing her favorite tunes?

These are some of Zoe’s current faves:

• Wheels on the Bus
• Five Little Monkeys
• You are My Sunshine
• Tomorrow (from the movie Annie)
• Xiao Xiao Niao
• Ring Around the Rosie
• C is for Cookie
• Baa Baa Black Sheep
• ABC
• …and a handful of Chinese ones that I unfortunately don’t know!

One of my other fave things right now is watching her interact with her stuffed toys (especially whichever her current favorite Bear Bear is at the moment) in increasingly “sophisticated” ways: feeding, tickling, hugging, diapering, dressing and otherwise lovin’ on them like they’re her little babies. You’re growin’ up so fast, baby!

No really, it’s got foxes all over it! Thank you Auntie Thuy and Uncle Vinh for my super-cute and comfy new gown, I love it (and so does Mom)!

Thanks to Keenan for the super-cool pot and pan cooking set! It’s one of my faves. :]

How come my parents take so long to get ready? SIGH…