A message for Uncle Mike

We're sending him a hard copy of the photo via snail mail as well, to make sure he gets the picture.

We're also sending a copy to our friend and former therapist Rob, whose health has been far too rocky as of late.

Please get better, both of you -- and anyone else who feels like being sick.

-- Dan

Chinese New Year - We never got a card out but...

When we say we're overwhelmed with the amount of love and support that the three of us has received--we mean it. Although we have been meaning to send cards out proclaiming our gratitude and flaunting how cute CJ is, we just couldn't get to it.

This year is the year of the golden pig, which only happens once every six decades. It is an especially auspicious year to begin new ventures -- or families.

So please accept our wishes for a happy and healthy new year through our blog. And if you would like, you can click on the image to get a photo with large enough resolution to print out.

Too cool for words

Our apologies for not posting too much lately. First Meg was sick, then Dan got sick, then Meg's back went out, but CJ? She's just plugging along.

Here's one of the ways she cracks us up. When she moves from a sitting position to a crawl, she spreads her legs wide and goes into a split!

The time-lapse photography:









And here's how it looks "real-time," when she's on the move:



However, she's already getting tired of crawling and can now hoist herself up on her two legs and walk around a bit (provided she's got the coffee table as a support, of course):



Enjoy!

Two more photos

Breakfast and Dinner from yesterday:





And yes, we're still suffering from jet lag...

Happy at home

We haven't unpacked yet, but at least we're having fun:



And here's a few nice shots from a photo shoot with Mommy:

Recipe: Jet Lag Congee

Get home Wednesday afternoon. Struggle to stay awake until 8pm.

Wake up thinking it's 6am, but then realize it's actually midnight.

Hear CJ start to cry. Take CJ out of the bedroom so she doesn't (fully) wake up Mommy.

Add 2 cups rice to 16 cups boiling water. Realize you're making way too much congee. Add a bouillion cube for taste.

Play with CJ for an hour as congee simmers. Stir occasionally.

As CJ tires, pick her up, walk her around until she falls back asleep. Let congee cool.

When CJ wakes up again at 4:30, again pick her up and take her out of the room.

Put her on the floor with "educational" toys. As you peel two sweet potatoes, watch her ignore the toys and play with the luggage yet to be unpacked.

Chop the sweet potatoes into 1/2" cubes, checking CJ occasionally. Sautee in olive oil while holding CJ. Enjoy sensation of cooking a meal for your daughter for the first time, then freak as she tries to jump out of your arms into the frying pan. Cook until soft.

Serve congee with sweet potato. Enjoy first breakfast at home (at 5:30am).

--Dan

Home sweet home

Here we are Wednesday afternoon, a little tousled and jet lagged, but happy to be home:



And, because the previous photo was so popular, we have a special, behind the scenes look at "The Making of the Red Couch Photo" for everyone: