Puerto Rico

Bill's division (DeusM) went to Puerto Rico for their annual meetings. Nice right? Most of the folks at DeusM are in East coast New York region and were happy to escape the cold. He went one day early to do a nature tour that included repelling from a waterfall.

Unfortunately Bill's uncle Ben passed away after two-three weeks of unexplained sickness, rapidly going downhill with a stroke and finally a diagnosis of cancer in the lungs, pancreas and bones. He passed quickly and peacefully a day after returning home. It reminds us to appreciate every minute we have with our love ones and live with no regrets.

Bill changed his plans on his way back to visit the family following Ben's memorial. I'm glad he was able to be with them.

Year of the Dragon

Bill and I were traveling during the Chinese New Year passage, which is not that big a deal to us. My parents took the kids to a party at our friend Yalin's place. My parents knows Yalin's in-laws and Mom, so they had people to talk to. Yalin and her other friends were puzzled at us traveling for work during Chinese new year, to them it is like being away on Christmas eve.

Audrey and Mason each got 3 red envelopes with cash. In the past, I would just deposit the money in their accounts, these days Mason is very aware and has already starting making plans to buy new toys with his new found riches.

It is the year of the Dragon. I hear a lucky year to have babies. That is great info, but we are happy to be done in that front.

Vegas weekend

13 of Diana's girlfriends joined her in Vegas for her bachelorette weekend. Her bridesmaids and I had been planning it for a few months, with conference calls and meeting notes few pages long. Everyone had a fun time and most importantly, Diana had a great weekend. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but here are some pictures we can share!

I personally did not gamble much aside from losing $100 on the horrible Broncos game. We stayed at the Palazzo, which was decked out for Chinese new year.

I will be going back this Sunday for a conference, while Bill goes to Puerto Rico for work. My parents will be watching the kids alone! Pray for them.

Tebowing

Just when we thought the Broncos was sure to lose, they pull through. What a great game. Here is our homage to Tebow for some great passes and a great win!

Bye bye pacy

The day after I wrote the new year's blog, mentioning that I hoped Audrey would give up her pacy in 2012, she gave us the pacy! We were sitting at dinner and Mason was telling her she was a big girl an big girls didn't need pacifiers. That was not the first time Mason has said that to her and it was not prompted by us. Audrey took her pacy and handed it to Bill saying "I'm a big girl now and I don't need the pacy anymore". We asked her "we can throw the pacy away?" and she said "yes, bye bye pacy, throw away". Mason jumped up ready to take the pacy to the trash. I stopped him an his the pacy instead, hoping for the best, but anticipating Audrey would change her mind later.
We are happy to report that it's been 5 days and although she has asked for the pacy, she has made it without it! I think we are finally done with that!! I will keep the pacy as a keepsake to show it to her when she grows up!
I also finally got to clean up a lot of the baby stuff around the house. Most notably the diaper bag that we have use for the past 4 1/2 years (which we haven't used for the past few months, but remained around) is finally packed in a donation box!

Yay to our big girl!

The dentist

Audrey had her first dentist visit this past Wednesday and Mason his second visit. This pediatric dentist office has been around for 2-3 decades and is well setup for the little ones. There is a huge castle in the waiting room - need I say more?

Mason and Audrey had side by side chairs. While Mason got his teeth cleaned, Audrey's appointment was more an introduction to the equipment, seeing how they count and clean teeth demo on a doll. Both did great.
Mason has a geminated and fused tooth with a pocket in the back of the tooth that is impossible to clean. He has a little cavity on that tooth and having that tooth filled would keep maintenance simpler - we go back in early February.