親親和抱抱

小蘇菲現在會給親親和抱抱, 超級可愛的. 她在晚上睡前和早上會喝點母奶. 今天早上她醒了, 我抱著她到我房間躺下來. 她趴在我的胸口喝奶奶. 早上5:30, 我還有點累. 所以我眼睛還是閉上者在休息. 小蘇菲喝完後, 她就一直親我的臉. 每親完一個, 她就會正著她大大的眼睛看我會有什麼反應. 然後再親一個. She melts my heart

Vacuum Fishies

Yesterday, Miss Sophie took off the vitamin bottle wrapper, walked over to the trash can, opened the lid, and threw away the wrapper. She still amazes me with what she know. I have no idea she knew how to do that, i guess she does a great job observing Steve and me.

Steve had one of those days, so I sent him out of the house to blow off steam. I guess Sophie really got on his nerves, and he was about to break. I totally understand how he feels, I've been there myself.

While he was gone, Sophie and I got a lot done. She was sitting on the couch eating her fishies, while I tackled the carpet with the loud vacuum. After vacuuming, I went into the kitchen to clean the vacuum bucket (no bag vacuum). Sophie continue to sit on the couch, and she was just so content. 

She then followed me to both bathroom while I clean the counter, sink, bath tubs, shower tiles. She was so sweet and with all smile.  

After cleaning the shower tiles, I was kinda wet. So I decided to just jump in the shower. Sophie came with too, since Steve wasn't home. And I can't just leave Sophie out by herself. 

I used to bring her in the shower with me when she was a tiny baby. She'd just snuggle in my chest while the warm shower water graze her tiny back. She loved it. 

I washed her first, and then I gave her the handheld shower head. She was having a blast with the water while I wash my hair really fast. Then she helped me rinse my hair. I just love spending these little moment with her. 

We had so much fun together last night. She was great. She talks so much now, although I have no idea what she is saying. She seems happy though.

No boyfriends when you are young and pretty - Trying to find someone to married when you are old and wrinkly

I am always puzzled as to why the Chinese parents restrict their children from dating, or having friends that are opposite gender when they are in their teens and twenties. The Chinese parents are extremely concerned about their children's school work, and if they could get high enough test scores to get into the best school, and eventually the best money making profession.

example of a Taiwan match maker

 The photo above is the traditional Taiwan match maker. The sign has the requirement for both men and women who wants to be matched up.

Men:

1. Have regular job

2. No criminal records

3. Have a house

4. Healthy body

5. No bad habits

Women:

1. simple pretty appearance

2. Under 36

3.Have a regular job

So for my friends and cousins in Taiwan, it's no dating, no dating, and NO dating. While they are all young, vibrant, exciting, and gorgeous, they are not allow to date? And then the parents started to get worried when their children aren't having any prospect of marriage when they are in their 30's, sometimes 40's, and some just never get the chance to married for love, and have a family.

My thinking is... if you are not allowed to date and find the love of you life, it's will only get harder when you are overweight, wrinkly, older, and with low self esteem. (because you are older, and still single)

Their solution--pay a large sum money to a match maker, in exchange to help them find someone to marry and have kids with. (Also because they are personally social awkward, cuz they weren't allow to socialize with opposite genders)

Something is wrong with this picture. I believe one of the leading reason why there are so many older Chinese couples aren't happy, is that people aren't allow to date, and are somewhat pressured into marriage when their parents wants grand kids. The pressured married couples hate each other, they live together, they have children together, and they are miserable. So, do they get married for themselves? or for the sake to produce grandchildren to please their parents?

Then... there is another problem. Having trouble to conceive! Dude, if you are older, your eggs and swimmers are older too. If you are 40 and trying to get pregnant? are you insane??? It's already tiring to be pregnant, giving birth, and chasing a baby in my twenties. I can't imaging having to deal with the morning sickness, all that comes with being pregnant, giving birth in such high age, and chasing a baby in your 40's. AND having to deal with a teenager in you 50's AND dealing with your own menopause.

I bet the Chinese parents ever thought about that before.

So, back to the no dating, only school and career. That leads to having to pay for a matchmaker to help find someone, that also wants to get married. So two haggered (after all that late night studying for the test to go to the best school that leads to the best job, which requires you work all day and night and no time for yourself. Nor time to meet other people, and practicing social skill) and socially retarded people get together in an awkward situation with the match maker sitting in between them , because they have to compromise, when you are old, ugly and socially retarded, you can't married someone young, hip, popular and pretty, unless you are like Hugh Hefner, with lots and lots of money.

To those parents would someday become grandparents in the appropriate age, think twice before you force your children into " No dating, only studying, and school". You might want to reconsider. It'll save you money in a long run on the match maker. Let your kids have a social life, let them go date, fall in love, get their hearts broken, and find love again. At least they won't be as awkward as a 50 year old single man trying to marry the socially awkward 40 year old women.

Good night kisses

I am usually the one who puts Sophie to bed at night, and before I take her back to her room, I'd tell her to give her daddy a good night kiss. Last night, I said to Sophie, " Soph, give daddy a kiss." She was in my arm, and I took her over to Steve. Sophie just puts her forehead towards Steve for a kiss. It was super cute.

She knows the word "Snuggle". She would put her head on my chest, and say "mmmmm". Then she'd go back and forth between Steve and I, giving the both of us "snuggles"

She knows when mommy is not happy with her when she is into things that she shouldn't be. Last night she was going through my bags again, and I made a low "hmmmmmm, Sophie??". She popped her head up looking all guilty for a couple seconds, and burst into tears. I felt so bad!! She then walked over towards me with huge drops of tears in her eye, and some rolling down her plumped red chubby cheeks. She climbed onto the couch, puts both her arms out for a hug. She then just sat quietly in my arms for a little while.

I didn't mean to make her cry, I didn't even yell. She's sweet, tender, and sensitive. I don't think I have to do much discipline with her, at least I hope I don't have to.

Last night, she woke up so many times, and I was up with her from 2:30am-5am. Then Steve was up with her till 7am. We are all tired. I think she had a tummy ache, and there are 3 new teeth coming in. poor child.

I love her so much, and I can't believe that I grew a such cute baby like her in my belly. Now she's walking everywhere, jabbering, hugging my legs while i am cooking.

Here is Sophie wearing "qi pao" - the traditional Chinese dress.

oh yeah, forgot about this

When Sophie Goes to College

I will help her pay for her tuition, so when she graduates, she can start with a clean slate. Everything she earns, it's hers. She will not have to worry about having to pay pack student loans. She will be able to save up and buy a house, or invest in whatever she wants.

I swear, I will do everything I can so she can have that!