Fish Flags 2006

Fish Flags 06
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Since a "before and after" theme seems to be emerging -- here is Helen at the 2006 Nikkei Matsuri Festival in San Jose's Japantown, with the honorary fish flags waving in the background.

Fish Flags 2005

Fish Flags
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

And, here is Helen at last year's festival, just one month after coming home.

The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Armed with a sunvisor (for the nonexistant sun) and a watering can, Helen helped Chris with a spring planting today.

We are trying to find our backyard --which seems to have morphed into a rainforest. Our mostly drought-tolerant plants are quite confused.

Playtime with Gi Gi

Playtime with Gi Gi
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

On Saturday we spent the day in Sacramento with Gi Gi. Not many great grandmothers could keep up with Helen, but hers is rather special!

Helen is now old enough to appreciate many of Gi Gi's virtues that I loved as a child... her endless patience, her sweet manner, her ability to make a killer lemon cream pie!

Pretty Face

Pretty Face
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

This picture of Helen takes my breath away. For me, it captures her beauty and peeks into her soul.

Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Reading with Helen is getting more and more fun -- she is starting to know words and phrases from her favorite books, and is thoroughly engaged for longer periods of time. She loves to say "THE END" at the end of each book.

Here, Grandpa is reading "I Can Do Anything" to Helen. No surprise that this is a favorite. Our independent girl is constantly rebuffing our offers for help saying, "Helen does it!"

Easter Morning with Ja Ja Margie

Easter Morning with Ja Ja Margie
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

What fun it was to see Helen parade through Trinity on Easter morning to Sudanese drummers -- the place where Chris and I were married eight years ago. Luckily there was a nursery because the 2-hour service didn't lend itself to a 2-year-old! She loved the trumpets & bells though, and would exclaim "MUSIC!" loudly so that everyone would be let in on the secret.

Family Blessing

Family Blessing
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

My mom reminded me that Easter was the last of a series of "firsts" we've had with Helen since coming home just over a year ago. Last year's Easter was late, and so we were actually in China, and had our blessing at the Bhuddist Temple on Easter Sunday!

Easter Girl

Easter Girl
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

I've realized in looking through the blog that I've not done well at getting more traditional posed photos of Helen on special days. I've resolved to do better, but in doing so, I've uncovered the reason why I don't have more -- Helen won't sit/stand still long enough to take anything other than an action shot!

Egg-citing!

Egg-citing 3
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

When all was said and done, Helen was quite proud of her accomplishment. Adding to the egg-citement, she really likes peeling and eating them too. Thank goodness that Ja Ja Margie was here to help because three adults to one child is the perfect ratio for an activity involving dye (even the natural kind!)

Making Purple Eggs

Making Purple Eggs
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

At the eleventh hour we decided to color some Easter Eggs. I'm glad we did, because Helen really enjoyed it. She wanted to color every egg purple. Who can blame her for that?

Filling Big Shoes

Filling Big Shoes
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Cruising the town this Easter weekend with Ja Ja Margie who's here for a few days. Helen has been in rare form, demonstrating the endless energy of a two-year-old. Helen can hardly stand to sleep lest she miss out on any activity and has been especially excited to have Oliver, Marge's Shih Tzu, along for the visit. After hanging out with our monster dogs, I'm not sure that Helen has figured out that Oliver belongs to the same species!

Between Raindrops

Between Raindrops
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We have finally learned how to survive in wet weather. The trick is this: if it's not pouring when you walk out the door, you proceed with your plans no matter how threatening the clouds may seem. In following this simple rule, we've been able to do quite a few things over the last two months of almost constant rain. In our Sunday trip to Rancho San Antonio Helen learned that there are two convenient places to store her fingers while sitting on Baba's shoulders.

Bedtime for Tucker

Bedtime for Tucker
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Tucker has been banished from Helen's inner circle since, well, since she got here! But T-Bone may finally be experiencing a reversal of fortune. We're happy to report that after an entire year, our skittish labrador has finally relaxed enough to enjoy the lavish attention of a toddler. Helen can now be seen stepping on Tucker's head, pelting him with large objects, and sticking her fingers in his eyeballs without even a small grunt from the dog who thinks he's a diva. Chula is still #1 in Helen's book though. Tonight I found her wiping Chula's nose with a wet-wipe. There was no explaining to her that dog's noses are supposed to be wet!

Stripes and Swings

Stripes and Swings
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

I had a conference in Monterey this week, so Chris & Helen came to pick me up today by way of the Aquarium and Dennis the Menace Park. Helen apparently wanted nothing to do with the fish (part of a growing list of things that are scary for her right now) and spent all her time in the children's play area. So we headed for more land-based activites at the park, where even swinging was a relief for our monkey girl who much prefers to climb & hang.

Helen Tries the Zip Line

Helen Tries the Zip Line
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Speaking of hanging....

Helen actually lasted longer on the zip-line that some 8-year old boys (and one-handed at that)! Helen is very strong. I had to lift her up to get started, but she made some very cute attempts to "jump" the five feet in the air grab the handle.

Meet Lily -- Helen's Newest Cousin!

Meet Lily -- Helen's Newest Cousin!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Here is what Auntie Elise says in her e-mail to family:

She is about 4 1/2 months and came to live with us last Friday the 24th. She was about 5 kg - fairly malnourished and severly anemic, but has been eating us out of house and home since - she wants to catch up quickly. She is very smiley and so far easy going. Izzy seems to be adjusting, but definately has her moments.

Lily is the name she came with and is on her records - seems to suit her smiles. We are still thinking on her second name.

Finish Line

Finish Line
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Well, it took a while, but I finally have my first race under my belt post-Helen. My last race was a half marathon just over a year ago. I did three marathons in 2004 just to make sure I had my fill for a while. Today's race was a mild 4-miles from Saratoga to Los Gatos. It was chip timed which is unusual for a race of this size. It certainly wasn't a "p.r." (personal record) but I did manage to run at a 7:45 pace. Helen was inspired and spent the rest of the afternoon showing us her adorable run where she pumps her arms and wiggles her hips from side to side.

One year later in San Jose...

Colored Walls
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Running laps at Happy Hollow. Identifying animals (she pronounces as "amnimals") and having a wonderful time. We've all come a long, long way. We are "HOMMMMME" as Helen often says when we pull into our driveway.

One year ago in China...

Spoons
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

...we were enjoying our last meal before flying back to the Bay Area.

Dynasty Duo

Dynasty Duo
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Another 1-year anniversary celebration, this time with the McNabb family. We met up at Dynasty -- a Chinese restaurant in East San Jose that made us feel like we were back in China. The expansive 2nd story banquet-style dining area had chandeliers and lazy susan's and offered a dizzying array of dishes to choose from including smoked sea bass, baked crab and seasame balls for desert. Helen & Claire were torn between playing with the food and chasing each other down the curved staircase.