Grace takes her first dip in the pool yesterday.  It was a perfect HOT day yesterday...perfect enough to dip in the pool to cool off.  Grace took it well but didn't seem too excited about the pool.  She'll be practicing alot this summer and will be doing laps around the pool in no time!  Haha!

Ahh, finally!  Grace is sleeping through the night again!  So here's the story, I'll try to make it short.  Basically, I had Grace sleep trained before we went to Washington, DC.  Two months in DC messed up everything!  Since she didn't have her own room and crib, she pretty much woke up every 2-3 hours crying her head off wanting to nurse.  The only thing I could do to keep her quiet (our neighbors were banging on our walls telling us to keep Grace quiet) was to nurse nurse nurse.  Arghghghg it was horrible.  She was sucking the life out of me and I had no choice.  I couldn't let her cry it out.  I even lost weight and now am down to 105lbs.  Eeeek!  So after DC, her bad habits continued at home.  She kept us up for a week screaming and crying and not wanting to sleep in her crib.  I don't know about you ladies out there but I need need need sleep.  I do not function well when I don't sleep.  So finally it came down to me trying out the "cry it out method."  I can testify first hand this worked!!  It was soooo hard to do but it did work.  I let her cry for an hour on Tuesday night, then another hour on Wednesday and then another hour on Thursday.  While she was crying and screaming, I was numb in bed chanting...I am not a bad mother...I am not a bad mother.  Hubby had earplugs on since he was working, lucky him haha.  On the fourth night, a miracle happened.  After her nightly routine, I placed her in her crib, she fussed for a couple of minutes, rolled over and then fell asleep on her own.  Amazing!  She slept for 10 hours and woke up happy and kissing her Dolly and Lovie Bear.  Wow.  This has been going on for a week and I am hoping it will continue.  So happy to report that I finally get to sleep through the night!!!!!!!!!! 

Went to my cousin's father-in-law's funeral today.  Ended the day with a nice hike to Forest Falls with some wonderful people.  So nice to be out in God's nature today.

I love this quote from Ellen G. White. 

There is a distinction between recreation and amusement. Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body, and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life. Amusement, on the other hand, is sought for the sake of pleasure, and is often carried to excess; it absorbs the energies that are required for useful work, and thus proves a hindrance to life's true success.-- "Education," p. 207 .

Moms and dads out there, I have a question for you...how often (I'm guilty of this too) do we "amuse" our children rather than "recreate" with them?  I really felt re-created today after my hike to the waterfall!!

Ahh the moment has arrived.  G is now showing me affection!  All these months of sleepless nights, diaper duty, you name it..was worth it cause G is now giving me the most cutest kisses!  It all started with the doll she got on her 1st birthday.  "Give baby kiss!" I would say.  She'd imitate me and now kisses everything, Mama, Papa, all her stuff animals, books, and toys.  This morning Papa brought her to me from the crib and when she saw me...MUAH!!!  Her lips puckered up and smack smack smack.  Sooooo heart melting cute I tell you! 

Happy Mother's Day to all the Xanga Moms out there! Woke up this morning to a beautiful card (complete with a poem), flowers and French Toast!  Who knew my hubby makes the best vegan french toast?! 

Grace is proud to be an American!

Visiting Albert Einstein and trying to soak up all his brain power!

A highlight of our trip to DC was spending time at the National Museum of American History.  We were able to see "Old Glory"--the American flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his famous poem which later became our national athem, Star-Spangled Banner.  Wow!

We were also able to see an exhibit of First Ladies Gowns!  It was so amazing to see the beautiful dresses up close!

Here is one of Jacqueline Kennedy's gowns.

Here in the gown of our First First Lady, Martha Washington next to our current First Lady, Michelle Obama! 

I just loved loved loved Mrs. Obama's inauguration gown.  What a gorgeous detailed beautiful dress!

It feels soooo great to be home in California! 

We're going home in just two days!!!  I am so excited!  I really miss California.  These last two months were awesome in DC but I am ready to go home.  Hubby had the day off today so we decided to walk the National Mall one last time.  It was very emotional thinking back to all the good times and memories we made here in our nation's capital.  We arrived here during the end of the winter season and was able to see DC transform into a green lush environment during springtime.  Our little G also transformed before our eyes.  Here's a picture of her when we first arrived in DC and one taken today.  To a stranger she probably didn't change much but to her parents the subtle physical changes reminds us how much growing up she has done in the short time she was here.

 

Our little G turned one year old today!  We have survived the first year of her life!  Whew!  That was hard work.  Hopefully being parents gets easier and easier.  We shall see! 

::Mt. Vernon::

Yesterday we began G's birthday celebration by heading to the back country of Virginia to visit President George Washington's house Mt. Vernon.  It was a beautiful day!  His beautiful mansion overlooked the Potomac River. 

 

So thankful that hubby's parents flew in all the way from California to spend time with us and G. 

 

 

  

Everything was so lush and green.  How come we don't live like this anymore?  I long to one day live in the country where it's peaceful and quiet with no worldly distractions.  It really was lovely spending the day here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here lies our first president.  What a man.

 

After Mt. Vernon we found a nice Thai restaurant in Old Town Alexandria overlooking the river and had a nice quiet birthday dinner for G.

::Birthday Party::

Hubby and I wanted to have a quiet celebration for G's first birthday.  Somehow (don't ask me how) G had a bunch of gifts to open today!  What?!  Our DC church friends, relatives from home and hubby's parents got her gifts for her birthday.  LOL. How in the world am I gonna bring all this home to CA? 

I love grandma's and G's reaction in this picture.

 

A funny card from Uncle Sam.

Skyping her uncles from California.

G's uncles and auntie celebrated with us...complete with party hats too!

G opening her gift from grandpa and grandma.  Gold anklets!  Now she's true Khmer!

 

Before G opened her gifts, we put five objects in front of G to see which item she was most interested in.  The items were:  makeup, book, diamond ring, toy, money.  Guess which one she crawled to and grabbed first?  The diamond ring.  Then she grabbed the money.  Two of the things I wished she would avoid.  Hahah!  Oh well.  I guess diamonds are a girl's best friend.  I'll let it go cause the diamond is her birthstone.

Finishing the celebration with Red Velvet cupcakes.  G had her first taste of sweet processed food. Hehee.  She didn't show much of a reaction when she ate a couple of bites.

My gift to G was a pink antique plate from Mt. Vernon (notice the plate with the cupcakes).  I wanted to get her the plate to help her remember where she was on her first birthday.  Also, she will encounter many more meals in her future and I hope to serve special meals on her "special plate."  Maybe she'll even start an antique plate collection.  Oooh...

 

To my darling Grace,

Mama is so proud of the young girl you have become.  Your sweet demeanor, inquisitive mind and perseverance are qualities I so admire.  I hope you will continue to grow, to learn and to explore.  I will always be here for you.  I know it was God who gave me the honor and priviledge to raise you.  You are a special girl and I know God has great plans for you.  Your papa and I are so lucky to be your parents. 

Love,

Mama

Hubby's parents arrived today in DC.  They came to visit for a few days!  So excited that they're here.  We picked them up at the airport and they pretty much bypassed us and went immediately to Grace.  They were so happy to see her!