Happy 21st Birthday, Aunty Mandy!

We hope you're having a fantastic holiday in HK! Lucas misses you very much! Here's a birthday video from him. I took the video straight after his nap so he looks a bit sleepy but he'll be ready to party with you when you get back (as long as it's before his 7pm bedtime :)

Let's take a walk down memory lane, we've been through so much together in the past 5 months, Aunty Mandy....

1 day old at the hospital

2 weeks old

2 weeks old

 PS. Remember how big the hat was when you first bought it for him?

Week 22 photo story: With the Grandparents

We bought a house yesterday, Lucas! Though I'm sure you will know this house very well since we will be living there for a long time. The house is soo much bigger than our current townhouse. The land size is about 9 times bigger, so much space for you to crawl and run around. I can't wait for you to have our own playroom, I have so many new projects of things I want to make for your new play room and for the house. So excited that we will be starting a new chapter in a neighbourhood that you will be growing up in!

We were at your Grandparents' house yesterday and I took a few nice photos of you spending time with them.  Check out your cute hi-top shoes and matching sunglasses that they bought you!

Week 22 milestone: Your first roll!

Today you managed to roll from your back to your tummy for the first time! And I caught it on video, here it is!

Once you took your hand out of your mouth, it seemed quite easy for you to roll on to your tummy...well almost to your tummy. You were left teetering on your side until Mummy gave you a helping hand for you to lay flat on your tummy. What a great effort, Mummy is so proud of you!

Here are some more photos of you taken this morning with Daddy and also on the play gym.

Week 22 video: Learning to sit

You're 22 weeks today and I've been trying to train you to sit without any assistance. You can sit for just a little bit before toppling over to the side. It's so funny to watch.

I've set up pillows around your crib to help catch you when you topple. You tried to sit for a bit and then realised it was more relaxing to rest

Week 21: First day of school

5 months old and Mummy already making you go to school!

I took you to your first baby class (gymbaroo) yesterday. There were 7 other babies in the class ranging from 3 months old to 6 months (non-crawler class). The teacher led us in songs, exercises, we even did some dancing! The 2nd half of the class was using the play gym where there were lots of fun baby equipment to help you do more exercises.

Excited for first day of baby class!

The very first exercise in the class involved doing tummy time, which is not your favourite thing. All the other babies did tummy time with their heads lifted up. You were the only baby with your head lying down on the mat the entire time. So funny! I told the teacher you hated tummy time, so she gave me lots of tips to help you do more tummy time, which we have been doing today.

The class was only 45 minutes but it was still quite tiring for you because you fell asleep in the car-ride home and then took a really long nap when we got home. You only woke up to feed and then fell asleep again. Too much excitement in one day for you!

Asleep in the car

5 months old today!

You turned 5 months old today and I got some adorable photos of you because you were in a good mood after your nap. The weather was also lovely, despite it being winter, and there was really good natural light.

Here's the monthly video. You're so boisterous and excited. Sometimes it seems as though you understand what I'm saying. I wonder if you do?

You're able to sit up on the couch without a pillow this month! You're still a bit wobbly but it's a huge improvement from last month. Maybe next month you'll be able to sit up on your own without leaning back on the couch!

You look so mature in this photo

Week 21 video: Storytime!

This is a video of Daddy reading a bedtime story to me last night. I was more interested in eating Daddy's hand.

Grandma came over and read a story to me in Chinese today. Thank you, Grandma. It took a lot of effort to concentrate for so long, especially for a not-quite-5-month old baby!

Week 21 video: Blowing raspberries

You learnt a new trick this week - blowing raspberries (bubbles). It was hard to capture on video. I saw you do it while I was changing you but when I got my phone, you stopped. You can see a bit of it at 1min18.  You're getting chubby but in this video, it's definitely the angle that makes you look chubbier!

You started to get very annoyed near the end of the video because I didn't pick you up. You're definitely not shy in voicing your annoyance!

Here are some photos from you playing today. You still love to eat your toys.

Week 21 video: Dancing on Daddy

So much fun having Daddy hold me while I jump around! Here's a video from today:

From Mummy:

I can't believe you are turning 5 months old this week! Your legs are getting so strong with all the jumping around. You're getting louder and more vocal, lots of shrieking and laughing out loud. Today on the play gym, you started turning and shuffling around on your back. After 15 minutes, you had turned 180 degrees, from the top of the play gym to the bottom. You kept pulling on all the different toys to put them in your mouth. We definitely have to keep an eye on you as you might start rolling over soon.

Week 20 video and photostory: Hello from Lucas

Hello everyone,

It's Lucas here and this is my first post! I wanted to share my day with you.

I woke up at 6am today and called out to Mummy because I was hungry. I got fed and then I pooped. After my nappy change, I went downstairs to play in the bouncer while Mummy had her breakfast. Daddy came downstairs and gave me a hug and kiss before he went to work.

I went back upstairs to get changed. Mummy kept telling me how much I'd grown and started taking photos of me.  I know my fan club thinks I have the "Banh posing gene" but I just want everyone to know that I'm not a poser. Mummy uses 3 different cameras during the day and is always taking photos of me. I can't help looking naturally cute.

Wow my thighs look so pudgy! Must be the angle.

My feet has grown a lot!

Week 20 video: Chatterbox and reading with Grandpa

Grandma & Grandpa Tran are in America right now on holiday and have been regularly checking the blog for photos of you. I'm sure they are missing you a lot, so here is a video taken this morning so they can see how much you've grown and how much you are talking now.

Grandma & Grandpa Banh came by the other day with lots of Chinese books and CDs for you. You've got new reading material and look like you're really enjoying looking at the pictures

Week 20: Time for a booster!

I sprained my back yesterday while bending over to pick you up from the bouncer. While I recover, we won't be able to use the bouncer as it's too low to the ground for me to pick you up. Luckily, I was very prepared and bought a booster seat before you were even born. I went to the garage to get it today and your Aunty Mandy and I tried it out with you. You did pretty well in the seat and I'm sure you much prefer being closer to the action at the dinner table from now on. You can't actually sit on your own yet but you do pretty well when there is some support. It's also good practise because you'll be sitting in the booster to eat solid food in 6 weeks time!

Week 20 photo story: A typical day

Since about 4 months old, you settled yourself into a routine of taking 3 naps a day every 2-3 hours. If you don't get your nap or you don't sleep long enough, you become a bit grumpy. Your Aunty Mandy found out first-hand when she came to visit you last week. It's a funny story, here's what happened:

Aunty Mandy wanted to visit you so I told her the approximate time you would be awake. Only that day you didn't fall asleep until about 20 mins before Aunty Mandy came over. While watching you sleep, she accidentally woke you up. You showed your annoyance by avoiding eye contact with her during her visit. I was holding you while Aunty Mandy kept trying to catch your attention. No matter how many times she moved in front of your face, you would immediately turn your head the other way. It was like a little dance, she would move one direction and your head would swivel to the opposite direction. I had no idea 4 month old babies were able to show their annoyance like that! You didn't hold a grudge for too long. By the end of her visit, you guys were friends again.

So this is how we usually spend a typical weekday:

7am: you wake up. You hardly ever cry when you wake up in the morning. You sometimes call out to me or you'll move around in your bassinet. When I hear you wake up, I'll pop my head over your bassinet. Whenever you see me, you'll give me a wide gummy smile. I'll pick you up for a cuddle and then take you to your nursery for a nappy change. Then it's time for your feed. When you finish one side, I'll take you downstairs and put you in the bouncer while I have breakfast. In the mornings, you're happy to play on your own for a bit while I have my cereal. As Daddy gets ready to leave for work, he'll give you a cuddle and play with you a bit before he goes. After I finish breakfast, we'll have play time.  I'll read you a story, sing some nursery rhymes, or take some photos/videos for the blog. Here are some photos from today's playtime:

We read a new book today

It's a cloth book so you're able to turn the pages

Week 19 video & photo story: Playing in the backyard

It was such a beautiful, sunny day today. Can't believe it's supposed to be the middle of winter. I took you into the backyard so you can play in the fresh air. Here is a video and photo story:

Week 19: Tummy time

Tummy time is still a chore for you. I timed you today and you barely made it to 2 minutes before you put your head down and refused to do any more! Here's the video. You lifted your head up pretty high in the beginning though, so you're definitely improving.

Week 19: Sunny day at the park

It was such a beautiful day today after such a wet week. I took you out for a walk to our local park. It was your first time there and also the first time in the baby carrier without your newborn insert. The last time I took you in the carrier, you still couldn't hold your head up. It is much more enjoyable for you now that you can look around while we walk.

At first you seemed a bit overwhelmed with all the noise and the bright sunshine. I found it funny that you kept trying to hide your face away from the sunshine. You really are my little boy!