A BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sorry it's been a while, but we had a nice vacation down in Florida with Grandpa, Abuelita and all of the family down there. Jeff and I had a great time relaxing at the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for two nights while Grandpa, Abuelita, Auntie Cindy and Uncle Dennis took care of Ian. By the way, Uncle Dennis is now truly a member of the family as Auntie Cindy accepted his proposal! Dennis proposed on Dec. 27, their one-year anniversary and we were waiting eagerly by the phone for the good news (we were in on the plan). Dennis planned a surprise family dinner for Cindy on Dec. 28, so we went down to Fort Lauderdale to meet his family. It was at a private club, so Ian had to dress appropriately. I still have to download the photos, but you will die when you see them. I had to look away because it was just so overwhelmingly cute. He had on a new button-down shirt and dress khakis and a navy blue sport jacket with gold buttons. Very preppy.

We spent New Year's Eve at Ana Maria and Ed's house, where Ian enjoyed chasing the dogs around (the cat wisely stayed in the garage) and playing with cousins Isabella, Gabriella and Fernandito. He passed out around 9:00, so he missed ringing in the new year, but a guy needs his beauty rest. Abuelita and I had brought him over to see Ana Maria earlier in the week, so Ian got the Christmas tree decorations out of his system. Ana Maria had a beautifully decorated tree with brand new white ornaments, so Ian wanted to grab them. After being told "No" three times, he lost interest and never went near the tree again. Such a good boy -- let's hope this keeps up.

Ian was also great on the plane ride down and back. He slept the 2 and half hours both ways. When we arrived in Palm Beach, while we were waiting for the car, Ian discovered the carts that the porters use and started to push them back and forth with one hand! If it has wheels, he wants to push it. He also wanted to push his stroller rather than ride in it at the airport. On the way back, we bought some sandwiches for the ride and Ian ate about 3/4 of the grilled chicken in my sandwich. Mmmm... lettuce and tomato sandwich....

Wai-Po arrived in NYC on Jan. 1 and we got home on Jan. 2, so Ian didn't see Wai-Po until Wednesday, Jan. 4. Wai-Gong arrived on Friday evening and Jiu-Jiu and Jiu-Ma (Alan and XW) arrived on Saturday morning. Auntie Liz and her boyfriend Adam arrived in the afternoon. The big wedding reception Part Trois/Ian's coming-out party was at the Sheraton and there were about 170 people in attendance. Ian was pretty much overwhelmed, but he was a trooper. He hung in there for all 10 or 12 courses and enjoyed all the non-shellfish items. The last dish was a fish and he was still enthusiastically opening his mouth for it.

Over this past weekend, he learned to shake his head "No" when he doesn't want something. He got a shot on Friday morning, so that may have contributed to his added clinginess over the weekend as well. Or maybe the 170 people rushing at him on Saturday scared him. Anyway, he has a bit of a cough and some congestion and yesterday at school he would cry whenever Jeff or one of his teachers left the room. Oh yes, and his right lower molar came in. Poor guy has had a lot going on.

He was being so silly all weekend. He would walk in circles around the kitchen island and then every now and then throw his head back and laugh. He would try to shake his head while walking, but he would lose his balance and practically fall over, then catch himself, so he really looked drunk! I think he was showing off for Wai-Gong and Wai-Po.

We had Mei-Lun (XW's sister) and her husband Larry over on Sunday for brunch with their two cuties, Maxine (age 3) and Lawson (age 5), as well as Larry's mom. Ian was quite entranced by Maxine's rendition of the ABC's.

He also wants to use utensils now. He'll take his plastic fork or spoon and push his food around with it. Speaking of food, he has been eating quite well since Wai-Po arrived. He's enjoyed spare ribs, chicken, beef & broccoli, rice, fish and veggies. Poor guy is back to frozen chicken nuggets and pasta after she leaves.

That's the quick update. More details and photos to come...