The Zhao Family

This year we were planning to take a family photo at JCPenny's, when we looked at the outcome, we didn't like it so because I recently purchased a new digital camera, why not try it at home. We can do more things and take more pictures and keep the negatives and print them as we like. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! and a Happy New Year!!

So as we get closer to Christmas, our mood towards this Holiday also draws near. Here are some pictures of Clayton and mom that I am testing with my camera. I think the out come looks good.

The second phase is finishing off the tree with decorations and such.



This is preliminary picture of Brennan with the Christmas tree.



From his facial expression, do you think he's been naughty or nice?



But at least he treats he brother well.



Which looks nicer? Lights on or off?

This year is the official first year we actually have a full size Christmas tree. Previous years Abbey and I bought a 14" tree with simple lights. It sufficed for the both of us, but now we want a bigger tree for our kids. So last year, right after Christmas, we went on Craigslist to see who was disposing of 'fake' Christmas trees and fortunately we found a donor! We have no idea how it would look like but we are quite satisfied with the outcome as you can see. The decoration was from last year's after Christmas sale that went for 80% - 95% clearance prices. So you will see the stages of setting up the tree.



Here is infant stages of setting up the tree.



Even Brennan was excited to help out crawling into the box to grab all the branches.



As you can see, the tree took a significant about of space in our little home.



Clayton wants to get into the action too



After putting all the branches together, Abbey and Brennan start decorating the tree while Clayton looked on.

I thought being an older brother, I am suppose to teach younger brothers. I go and teach Clayton a little bit and he is pimping already? This is really making me sick!

Hey ladies, How are you doing? Wanna give me a kiss?



Come'ere give me a kiss (smooch), I am very kissable!



Hahaha...I was just kidding...



OH! What? Where did she go? Now I am confused.

This expression on Clayton's says it all. Where am I? What am I doing here? Who put me here? He is so cooperative, just like Brennan.

Clayton is just starting to crawl...he seems pretty content and determined

This past Thanksgiving was great. We spent lots of time with Da's family (Da's parents, brother, sister and her family, and three more families of relatives) So we had about 21 people there. As you can see, Da's father cooked from the morning until night time to prepare all the food. We don't have the usual turkey dinner, instead we have ducks, chicken, lobsters, roast pork and shrimp! It turned out terrific!

Then the next morning we headed up to NYC to visit friends up there for the long weekend.

Don't worry I won't scare you the way I did to my sister by telling her that Brennan has a rare condition called white measles. What I do is put lotion and patch it throughout his body, put him in front of the mirror to look at himself so he apply it all over his body and then say "All gone" with a smile knowing that he did it. Then happily he know its time to get dressed. And since I help to bathe Brennan most of the time, once in a while when Abbey gives him the bath he would request for "dim dim" meaning white lotion spots after bath.

It took many tries and this came out the best and that he is not spitting at me. Brennan is very cooperative when it comes to having fun and doing fun things.

Huge eyes..I am not sure who's eye he have either.

With Christopher, only two months apart: they look nothing alike.

Sometimes I wonder who's eye he have. Clayton is becoming more and more active and responsive. This picture looks pretty good.

Well we thought this bouncer was good in the beginning, about two months ago, but now that Clayton is more active, he kicks he legs so much that he'd usually end up having one leg sticking out on the side. ( We probably should put on the seatbelt)

As you can see that at times when Brennan pays attention to one thing, especially watch TV, he has no idea of his surroundings. It was funny to see him like this as he was in this position holding both balloons and not even flinch nor move his hand positions for a good half an hour of watching a show. I think he got this from his mom.

So there were many informants that thinks Clayton doesn't smile too much, well Clayton is improving and we are better at catching his moments of happiness such as this one playing with Da. The other end of the black cord is Brennan swinging the cord.

By the way, This is "ABBEY"

Since Clayton was born, Da has taken over the blog and uploand pics for the family. I have no problem with this until..........Da starts to post "feelings"....."my feelings, abbey's feelings......."

Hahaha, after four years for marrige, I realized that we can't count "too much"......there are good days and bad days. Some days are better than others. I used to complain alot more*still complain and yell at Da once awhile....I guess I was spoiled by my parents. I didn't need to do a thing at home and now I am the one doing everything.....this change is HUGE and it took me awhile to get use to this. But afterall, it's really not that bad....

The boys usually behave and good to me.......Da is really nice to me also (esp the night time massages..so I can't be too mad about him) just when Mr. Chow (Sleeping God) calls Da. He can never resist.

So the bottom line is........I think taking care two boys (my friends said THREE, including DA) is not that bad. It's great to see them laughing together and have fun at home. I truly thank Heavenly father for giving me such a great family. At times I am exhausted after all the "FUN" cooking, cleaning, nursing, ....at night, but the next day comes and everything is great again...just need to keep this positive attitude!

Afterall, I am enjoying my time as a stay home mother (I am sure I need to work like 20yrs before I can retire =)). This is truly a privilage...=)

So life as I know it has come down to this: I go to work and come home, play with Brennan, and eat dinner. Afterwards gives Brennan his bath, read this bedtime stories, and then puts him to bed. Then, I go and take over for Abbey and rock Clayton to sleep. I go to bed and next day all over again.

But of course Abbey has a different story more like this:
Da wakes and don't even change Brennan and runs off to work. When he comes home he expects the house to be clean and dinner ready. He doesn't even know how difficult it is to keep things in order with two boys. All he does when he comes home is to watch tv with Brennan and Clayton. After dinner he wouldn't even wash the dishes. He does his things, baths Brennan and puts him to bed; not even brush his teeth. Then he goes and do more of 'his' things and until I yell at him, then he will do it.

This is how Da plays with Brennan on the swing. Brennan gets a kick out of it.

For some odd reason the weather was extremely nice the last couple days. So we took the whole family out to the park and put Brennan on the swing, his favorite thing at the park. Da showed Brennan and ingenious idea that when you push him, he will kick you and you pretend to fly off. Here is how it went.

So Abbey's parent left...and now she is home taking care of the boys all by herself..here is what she felt a week before they left and knowing what is ahead of her.
-Posted by Mama

Very nice picture of Clayton when he's happy.
-Posted by Mama

Hercules!
-Posted by Mama

puppy love
-Posted by Mama

Us going out to Trick-or-Treat..it was a great time. Brennan absolutely love going around and getting treats.
-Posted by Mama

This is what Brennan has to go through to get candy on Halloween..he's no longer in the 100 Aker woods
-Posted by Mama

Since Brennan is Eeyore, Clayton has to join in the fun too..so mama made him into a flower..hahaha..and even put stickers on his face too..haha
-Posted by Mama

Brennan and David are getting to the nitty gritty on carving the pumpkin. As you can see, Brennan is discovering the ins and outs of this huge orange squash.
-Posted by Mama

Actually Eeyore turned out to be Brennan. That was his custom for this past Halloween. He looked so adorable.
-Posted by Mama

Abbey loves Eeyore so she took him home from the 100 Aker Woods and even help him put on shoes.
-Posted by Mama

Here is a pretty cool picture. I put this together of the two of them roughly about the same weeks. Both of their features are pretty much the same, one has a angle profile and the other has a front profile but most features are similar.
-Posted by Mama