JADEN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

The Christmas spirit was alive and well at the Youngs' house. Jaden went to see Santa. He also went to see Santa on the decorated Cal Train -- along with a million other people. As usual, Jaden was dressed for the holidays -- so cute. Jaden even attended a small gathering with the Syndication family including Lisa Oto!!!! That was so much fun to see everyone.

Hui-Hui came out to visit starting on December 14th. We had a lot of fun together. Hui-Hui really loves Jaden. She loves to hug and kiss Jaden. She was here for two weeks and the time went quickly.

Our Christmas celebrations started on Christmas Eve at Tai-Goong and Tai-Por's house. Brandon didn't get to come because he got sick but we photoshopped him into the family picture (well .. actually Paint Shop Pro).



The next morning everyone went to Jaden's house for Christmas morning. We had lots of fun watching Jaden tear his Christmas wrapping paper and play with his new toys. He wore the cutest Santa hat you ever did see ... little people size. Jaden started eating rice cereal so we enjoyed watching him try to eat his cereal (it was basically milk in a spoon - so runny - hahaha). We had a great time. We weren't rushing and we kind of went into the time we were supposed to be at my mom's house for Christmas (oopsie).













Jaden's next stop was back at Tai-Por & Tai-Goong's house for Christmas with all the family. We did the crazy gift exchange AFTER Michelle, Brandon, & Jaden had to go to Brandon's grandmother's house for Christmas with the Youngs. Michelle text messaged us that she wanted the Coach scarf from the Gift Exchange so we tried to win it for her. Our gift exchange is always fun ... some people brought rather interesting gifts this year.

It was a great first Christmas for Jaden.

JADEN'S FIRST DISNEYLAND TRIP

We decided it was time for Jaden to travel to Disneyland to see the Christmas decorations, snow, and fireworks -- so off we went for three days. We went From December 2nd through 4th - avoiding the MASS OF PEOPLE once school was out.

Jaden had a great time. He rode Nemo the submarine ride, Dumbo, Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, and even went on Toy Story Mania (two times). Jaden's parents rode a bunch of other rides while Por-Por and Goong-Goong stayed outside and played with Jaden.

Unfortunately the days we went there were NO FIREWORKS!!!!! Rude. But it did snow and Jaden was awake during the snowing. He had a wonderful time even though he won't remember it -- but his Mommy will, and that is important. Jaden even won "A Million Dreams" hat when we came out of the Winnie the Pooh ride (along with the rest of us too). Woowoo... the winners. Uncle Dennis said everyone won one of those hats since they had to get rid of them by the end of December (party pooper Dennis).

Jaden did really well on the flight both down to Disneyland and on the way back. We will go back again soon once he gets bigger. Maybe we should do Disney World next time.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

November Happenings

November was quite the busy month. Lots of things were happening. The main thing is Michelle WENT BACK TO WORK. So ... Sharon spends at least three days a week in San Mateo. She is loving EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Edwin is so jealous.

Jaden had his SECOND Red Egg and Ginger Party on November 8th. He almost slept through this party too. I think this party also had about 200 people in attendance. Jaden was being such a good boy. He was being passed around from person to person and didn't seem to mind it at all. It was a very nice party.

Jaden continues to grow and become more and more aware of everything. He is so funny when he cracks up and "cackles". Michelle sent us a video on Edwin's cell phone while we were in Orlando of Jaden laughing. We must have played that thing at least 10 times a day -- and every time we would crack up with him. People probably thought we were strange people.

Jaden has LOTS of cute hats. Here is a picture of one of them. I think his mommy put the "I voted" sticker on it.

Here are a couple of pictures from Thanksgiving. I got to sit on a motorcycle with my Goong Goong.

Jaden's first Halloween

Jaden was a dinosaur for Halloween. He was soooo cute. I believe he went to two Halloween parties (play group parties) and even kept his hat on for the pictures!!!!! Jaden even got to go trick or treating at the mall. Hmmmm ... I wonder who ate his candy. Edwin even got into the act and went trick or treating at Sea World's Spooktacular event when we went to Orlando. He brought Jaden home a trick or treat bag.


Do you remember the corn and peas costumes I bought Jaden before he was born? Well they found a new home through Craigslist (I took pictures of Jaden in them before I gave them away) to some lady with twins.




Jaden also had several Halloween outfits. Here are a few other pictures.

Grandparents go on vacation!!!!

We took a quick trip to Orlando about a week after the baby party. As usual we had a great time. We went to Disney World (EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom). We also went to Sea World which is always fun.

For the first time we went to Cape Kennedy. Edwin was in heaven there. It was amazing how HUGE everything was. We spent the day there but really needed another day to see everything ... oh well, next time.



While we were there we heard that Senators Obama and Clinton were going to be speaking at the Convention Center in Orlando. We went to see what was happening. We were there about five hours before they were going to get there and there were A MILLION PEOPLE there. Oh my. We decided not to stay but bought a t-shirt for Jen and a couple of buttons -- one for Hui-Hui that said "Kids for Obama". There was a lot of excitement in the air along with the millions of people.

The week went by very fast and soon we were back on the plane headed for home .. with the addition of goodies for the baby - hahaha. Yeah, I know, OOC.

We can't wait to go back again ... the next time WITH Jaden. Now that will be lots of fun.

JADEN'S RED EGG & GINGER PARTY

On Saturday, October 11th we had Jaden's Red Egg and Ginger party at Silver Dragon in Oakland Chinatown. We had approximately 200 friends and family attending. Jaden wore his little hawaiian shirt and was the hit of the party - even though he slept through most of it.


The party went on without a hitch - except I was a little spazzy when the man only delivered one pig and there were supposed to be TWO. Eeekkk. Luckily he had to go back and cut the other one and then bring it a little bit later. Whew.

We had fun making a collage of pictures of Jaden to put on display. We even took a picture of it so we could reconstruct it at the restaurant. Of course when we get there it doesn't fit on the table right, so we ended up breaking it in half and putting it on the doorways where you enter into the party. It was cute. Big thanks to Aunt Cindy for helping with that.


Michaela and Connor helped pass out the favors (thanks!!!!!) and Hui-Hui put them in order on the table.



Bridgette Ridley (Michelle's maid of honor) flew in from Cincinnati to attend the party. It was a surprise ... when Michelle saw her they ran and hugged (SQUISHING Jaden between them). It was great.

It was a fun party and over very, very fast. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I know I did.

BABY PARTY COUNTDOWN ...

With the baby party less than two weeks away, I actually think we are doing well. Pigs ordered, cakes ordered, red eggs ordered, RSVPs in (have to call a couple of stragglers -- but not many), favors in the making, and pictures being reviewed. Hopefully everything will come together. I'm sure they will.

Cindy, Paul, & Hui-Hui arrive on Friday, October 3rd, so we have a couple pairs of extra hands to help us get ready -- THANKS FOR COMING IN EARLY.















Jaden continues to grow and learn all kinds of new things. He LOVES to play with his Goong-Goong. They have lots of fun times together. Edwin tends to get the baby excited so he has to be careful what time it is when he plays with him. I'm sure Michelle doesn't appreciate when Jaden won't go to sleep until midnight.

We will write again soon. Keep watching for new posts.

Two months old!!!!!

Jaden is now two months old. He is growing very fast. He now weighs 11 pounds, 15 ounces. He is 24 inches long.
























He is so strong. He doesn't like to be carried "like a baby" anymore. He always wants to be held up so he can see the world.

Jaden loves to laugh and talk. Check out Jaden playing with his Goong-Goong and laughing below.



Jaden brings such joy into everyone's life ... I know that he lights up Edwin's world when he talks and laughs with him.

Check back ... more to come.

Six weeks already????

Can it be??? Our little Jaden is six weeks old??? He continues to grow at a very-fast pace. If you don't see him for a couple of days, he has changed his appearance. Blink and he is doing something new.

Here are a few pictures I took of Jaden the other day.

He loves to play with his mommy. She makes him laugh and smile.

This is my latest "big boy" trick. I can sit up with pillows. But look quickly as I tend to slide back down right before your eyes.

Tummy time ... Jaden's neck is getting very, very strong. Check out his crazy hair.


Keeping your head up is very hard work, Jaden takes a rest from Tummy Time to pose for a picture.

Jaden loves to get a bird's eye view of the world from mommy's shoulder. He just looks at everything and absorbs it all.












And last, but not least, SMILING WITH EYES (or semi-eyes) !!!!! I can't take credit for this picture ... Brandon took it. Jaden loves his swing ... he is preparing for when he goes to Disneyland. You should see this swing in action ... it's an amusement ride.



Jaden continues to bring immense joy into our lives. It's amazing how someone so little can change your whole life. He's such a cutie!!!!!!!!

So wiggly ... so strong ...

It's amazing to see how strong Jaden's little neck and back are.


Here are a few pictures of Jaden on Edwin's shoulder. I think he must like the view from there, because he just loves to look around.

(Please note the CRAZY hair).






The kids are "doing their own thing" this weekend, so we won't be seeing Jaden. Hopefully he will remember me when I see him tomorrow. It did, however, give me time to finish my work and, of course, look at Jaden videos and pictures.
(Am I obsessed or what ... of course!)

ONE MONTH OLD!!!!!

Jaden Michael is one month old today!!!!





I can't believe the little guy has been with us for a month already. He's really grown. He has another doctor's appointment tomorrow and we will see exactly how much he has grown. (note: Jaden now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz - Oh my).


Jaden went to Picture People to take his one-month old picture. I can't wait to see how it came out.













As you can see, Jaden loves to smile at his Por-Por. He smiles so big that he always closes his eyes when he smiles. One of these days I'll get a picture of him smiling WITH EYES. He is such a joy to hold and watch. Jaden likes to squeal and hear himself making noise. He also enjoys stretching and grunting (something you just have to see to believe) ... he is soooo cute.













I bought Jaden a one-month present today. It's a tribute to his Goong-Goong's alma mater (Uncle Dennis and Auntie Jenny's too). I really should have bought one from Cal-Poly but that was just too far to drive for a little gift. Hopefully he will get to wear it when the weather gets a little cooler.

HAPPY ONE-MONTH-OLD BIRTHDAY JADEN!!!!!

Baby Party Plans ...

The groundwork for the red egg and ginger party has been laid out. Silver Dragon has been reserved for Saturday, October 11th for a lunchtime party. Next we have to figure out invitations, lists, and favors. We are doing pretty well ... a lot of the details need to be worked out, but at least we have started this. Luckily my parents kept great records from giving Hui-Hui her "welcome" party last year, so I will just borrow their information. Thanks Mom & Dad.

Jaden is such a special boy that he will have TWO red egg and ginger parties. The Young side of the family will combine Jaden's party with his cousin, Hannah Young (since they were born only 3 weeks apart). Therefore the Low/Fong side will hold an additional party for Jaden. He is such a popular boy!!! It is actually a blessing in disguise that Jaden will have two parties because the guest lists from both parties would have totaled MORE THAN 500 people -- and finding a facility to hold all those people would have been WAY TOO HARD.

There is lots to do so we probably should get started designing the invitation. The party will be here before you know it. Eeek .. it is only two months away!!!!!

Two weeks ... and growing

Baby Jaden is growing like a weed. He just went for his second doctor's appointment, and he now weighs 7 pounds, 7 ounces!!!! He is starting to fill out (he's got that round face, double chin, etc). His legs are still skinny but they are getting there - no "bracelets" yet. He is wearing his "newborn" clothes now, but I think he can still wear his preemie stuff.




Jaden loves to "talk" to his Por-Por




Michelle, Brandon, and Jaden are settling into a nice routine. Michelle and Brandon are learning to takes naps when Jaden is sleeping. In fact the first two nights, Edwin & I were "nap duty" so if the kids wanted to take a nap, we got to hold the baby!!!! Woowoo. I do have to confess that Michelle's couch is really not made for two people to sleep on ... but I can sleep anywhere (even standing up).

The new grandparents are thoroughly enjoying Jaden ... he just makes us happy just to look at him and listen to him make "baby noises".














Jaden loves to smile at his Goong-Goong. It really makes his day (Edwin's day)!!!! He is just overcome with happiness when he is with Jaden.


There is a rumor that we might be traveling to Orlando in October for a dragonboat race at Walt Disney World (Jenny, Michelle, Brandon, and Jaden too) . Needless to say, Edwin and I are ready, willing, and able to go!!!!! In fact we have reserved our tickets and the condo is booked. Hopefully they will get enough people to enter the dragonboat race. If not, Edwin & I will go on "vacation" (I guess).

Dennis and Jenny are having a fun time with the baby too.

It was the first time Jenny had EVER held a baby.

HE'S HERE ...

Our precious Jaden Michael Young made his debut last night at 9:38 p.m (7/6). He weighed in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces and 19.5 inches long. We got to meet Jaden when he was about 45 minutes old. We were amazed how alert and cute he was - he didn't look like a newborn. He has a personality already. Words cannot express the feelings we had when we first met this little one. The picture on the left was taken when Jaden was about 10 minutes old (and smiling too).

Here are a few more pictures of the newest member of our family.

Jaden meets Mommy

Jaden meets Por-Por and Goong Goong for the first time

Jaden is 45 minutes old here

Brandon, Michelle, & Jaden pose for their first of many family pictures

Jaden, Mommy, Daddy, and two sets of very happy & excited grandparents

That's it for now ... keep watching as Jaden grows.

LET THE SPOILING BEGIN ...