Gobble-ing with the 'rents

The Chens headed out to Stockton this Thanksgiving to celebrate with my parents. We were lucky to have my uncle, aunt, and cousins stop by as well. As usual, my mom didn't disappoint with the spread. Good food and relaxation was the recipe for the long weekend. Most of all, it was great to see Max having fun with his grandparents!

Max & my cuz Phuong

My aunt, cousin, & sis all admiring Max

Some of the spread (Yes that is soy sauce... yes we are asian and rice was a side dish!)

The bird

Max has fun with Grandpa

6 month stats

Oh Max....he is growing like crazy...and I mean crazy round :)

At 6 months Max is scooting, saying "Dadadada, mamamamama, gagagaga, mmmm, oooohhhhh, ahhhhh" (yes, typical 6 month old's vocab), almost able to sit on his own & likes to rock forward, well into his solid foods, laughs and squeals, and loves to watch Tank play fetch.

Stats:

Head circumference: 44.6cm - 74th percentile
Height: 26.25in. - 45th percentile
Weight: 19lbs 5 oz. - 81st percentile

Cee Lo - So explicit, but so catchy!

I know this has turned into a baby blog of sorts, so it's been awhile when I have spoken of other things....like my love of music.

This song though - I love it! Offensive lyrics, but catchy tune. A throwback to a 60's R&B vibe. The lyrics? Too funny.

Not one for the four-letter word? There is a radio-friendly version too. Trust me, you will find yourself singing along to this all day. Watch out if little ones overhear you....or again, radio-friendly version translated to "Forget You".

Cee Lo - you so crazy!

UPDATE: They just did this song tonight on Glee...SHUT...UP!

Jumpy squeaky baby

Max is finding his voice :)

The Grandparents visit from SoCal!

This past weekend, Leon's folks came to visit Max. It was so fun to see how much they love this lil' guy and how much he was enjoying their company! He was so smiley, talkative, and didn't care who was holding him. Just wait until Max gets his Mandarin going.

我们爱你奶奶和爷爷

Wǒmen ài nǐ nǎinai hé yéye!

Nainai, Max, Yeye

Time for smiles!

Grandpa & Max hang out

3 generations (and Tank too!)

Halloween - yeah I'm late

Ok, so I promised an update on Halloween and I obviously did not get around to it! Better late than never, right?

The Hamlins decided to come over to our neighborhood to have Emma show Max what trick-or-treating is all about! She was a cute butterfly and her dad made a very crafty homemade caterpillar outfit - loved it :) Poor Max got up really early from his afternoon nap and didn't last long on the trick-or-treating trip. I can't wait until he's walking and ringing doorbells by himself.

The neighborhood kids are too nice around here. I left my giant beer bucket of candy on the porch and no one snagged half the can when I came back. I also put up a sign after Max went to bed to please knock, and don't you know, EVERY kid followed instructions. Since I was telling kids to take candy by the handfuls, a couple of them went back to tell their friends. I love Halloween! (and it's not because it's my birthday either).

Emma & Dad Jeff

Wizard of Oz fam (Tank was suppose to be tin man, but didn't like his costume!)

Leon & the sleepy Lion Max

Owl pumpkin

Spider pumpkin

Inspired

I was inspired by our photoshoot yesterday, so I grabbed my Max and put him through it again. Despite his first case of the sniffles, he was a trooper!

Happy Halloween everyone - more on our adventures tomorrow!

Just chillin

Max & Tank - BFFs

Max & Hank Fall photoshoot

Yesterday Brett & Angie stopped by for some brunch and a photoshoot of our boys. Angie played photographer while I made a goof of myself trying to get the boys to smile or stay still. I am sure my neighbors think I'm a crazy woman.

But look! It was all worth it - thanks Ang! :)

Max surrounded by pumpkins

Hank & Max in pumpkinland

Sweet Henry - my fav pic!

Will is 1!

This afternoon we headed over to the Hyatt's for Will's first birthday party. All the kids were dressed in costume to celebrate, and there was even a mini pumpkin patch in the backyard. So cute. Max even matched costumes with Will - they were both lions. Happy birthday Will and thanks for having us over!

Me, Max, Chris, & Teagan

Hank-enstein, Teagan the M&M

Leon & Max

Henry & Max

Birthday boy Will & his mom Caitlin

5 months old

Yesterday Max turned 5 months old. What a different kid we have on our hands! He's rolling over (though better from belly to back, than back to belly), talking up a storm (not "talking" but ya' know...baby babble), recognizes his name and his parents' faces, found his thumb, tried some rice cereal and bananas (thumbs up for the cereal and thumbs down on bananas), reaches out for Tank, pays attention at storytime, and still LOVES his baths.

I LOVE this kiddo :)

Max is a talker

Shannon and Garrett stopped by on Saturday for some vino and convo. Well, last time Shannon was over, Max had a lengthy conversation with her. Saturday night was no different. Is this boy a flirt already?

Do you know what today is?

It's our anniversary...ANNIVERSARY! (I may be aging myself with the Tony Toni Tone reference)

Well, yesterday was actually our 6 year anniversary. Last year we celebrated staying in Half Moon Bay and I was a mere 5 weeks pregnant. This year we were back in Half Moon Bay as a family. It was wonderful weather and we enjoyed showing Max his first glimpse of the Pacific. I can hardly believe how fast 6 years went by. The one thing that has not changed is my love for my hubby :)

The pier at Pillar Point Harbor

Look at that fish!

Daddy feeds Max lunch

Max & Dad (Max didn't enjoy the wind)

Family photo

Another family photo - Max's first look at the Pacific 

Halloween practice

Max is practicing his costume-wearing skills for Halloween. Can you guess what he's going to be?

*HINT: It's not Tina Turner

The bear hibernates

Maxy Bear fell sleep last night at 7:00pm...and did not wake up until 5:00am!!! Can I tell you how elated we were? Well, at first panicked, then elation.

Mama is hoping that Max decides to do this tonight while Dad travels...crossing fingers!

Another wedding weekend

Yesterday Leon and I had the pleasure of attending Tenh's (his coworker) wedding to her man Derek. What a lovely wedding. Loved the colors, the crowd, the dress - oh absolutely loved that gorgeous dress. You could tell Tenh and Derek were very much in love and we were honored to share in their day.

We left Max with our nanny which meant...bring on the al-al-al-al-al-alcohol. Ha ha. We got to sit at the "fun" table (Table 14..holllaaaaaa!!!!) and definitely had a blast.

Bride Tenh & Groom Derek

Me, Kristen, Kerry

Me, Leon, Meghan

Look at that dress!!!

Derek, Leon, Tenh, Me, Kristen, Kerry

More fun in the bath

Ali introduces Max to Maddy

After Max's appointment today, I was able to meet my friend Ali for a quick coffee so I could finally meet her sweet little 2-month old Maddy. Maddy is SO precious. I can't believe that Max was that tiny at one time. It was great catching up and talking about life as a mom. I love that Ali takes everything with a grain of salt - maybe it's the New Yorker in her, but it doesn't take away from her being a great mom. Can't wait for Maddy & Max to meet again!

Maddy & Ali (sorry for the not-great pic from the iPhone plus Maddy was in action the whole time!)

4 month stats

Max did much better with his shots today than his last  appointment - and so did Mom! :)

I just can't believe how big this kiddo is getting and how fast time is passing. Max loves to laugh now, has rolled over, and is drooling like crazy. He has also found his thumb and soothes himself to sleep with it.

Here's his stats:

Head circumference: 42 3/4 cm - 66th percentile

Height: 25 1/4 in. - 66th percentile

Weight: 16 lbs. 5 oz. - 79th percentile

Weekend Wrap-Up

I know I've been a non-blogger as of late. Really, it's this work thing that crept up on me, and now I am busier than ever. But the weekends bring a different kind of busy - busy socializing with friends. We like this kind of busy better!

Saturday, we attended the wedding of our friend Ray to his beautiful bride Ana. It was a high school reunion of sorts as well. Quentin was the best man and delivered a very Quentin-like speech, always funny. We are so glad for Ray finding his true love and you could tell this was one very happy couple.

Q delivering a speech, and the newlyweds Ana & Ray

Max in his dapper duds - family photo

Sunday we attended a lunch in honor of Jimmy's bday. Unfortunately, no photos to share because I am a dork and forgot my camera. Happy B-day Jimmy!

Some time with the fam

Took a one day trip to Stockton this past weekend to visit my folks. My uncle passed away recently and although I never met or knew him (He lived in Vietnam) it certainly doesn't make it easy on my mom. So I thought maybe a visit from the grandson could help.

My sister Nga ended up stopping by as well to get her Aunt skills going on. Here she is feeding Max:

Not much else to report except my sleep is suffering between work and an infant, but that just means an extra dose of caffeine in the afternoon :)

I survived

No, I'm not talking about that crazy show Leon and I watch, I am really talking about me. I survived my first day of work, no waterworks as I said goodbye to my Maxy Bear. As a matter of fact, I was so busy the entire day, it helped me keep my mind off of him.

Angie was so sweet and dropped by yesterday to give me a photoframe as a gift so I can put a picture of Max in it to look at while I am at work. I also got a text from Shannon to wish me luck on my first day back. You guys are too sweet! They must have seen me driving in my car last week shedding tears when I first left Max with the nanny! Lol...

Anywho - Max is in tact, I am ok, and I can't believe how time flew by.