PAINTING

Ethan Russell, NYC - May 8th, 2015


An opened frame
An empty easel
A board of creation

A frame for infinity
for creativity

An open door
within your hand

I'm a toddler now... Not a baby any more!

Phew! Time flies by... It's been more than 2 months since my last post on this blog... It's been a long 2 months over which I've grown into a toddler and am no more a baby. Mommy keeps saying that I'm a BIG BOY already!

My first birthday was few weeks ago - on February 13th, 2008. It was internationally celebrated. Seriously. We - that is Daddy and I - talked to my Grandparents in India. My Aunties in Vietnam emailed and send me their best wishes. My Uncle from Indonesia was also very happy for my big milestone. Dad took me to Papa Martin's office for brunch on that day. Then Mom and Dad and I went to the biggest mall in our area to buy me two pairs of beautiful shoes (now that I walk all the time) and give me my very first Mary-go-round rides.

We got home exactly at 8.50pm, giving Mom and Dad just enough time to set up my birthday cake and candle. Exactly at 9.05pm, the time when I was born a year ago, Dad lit up the candle which instantly 'sang' the Happy Birthday song (how cool!). I blew off the candle and cut the cake - well, with a little help from Mom and Dad...

The coolest birthday present I had was this beautiful keepsake box that Arleen has hand-made for me. She glued colourful letters on it which spelled my name in a gorgeous way. Mom immediately made good use of it. She put inside the lucky money I got from my relatives in Vietnam when I was there in January, the birthday cards I had, the 1st birthday candle, etc. 

Well, now I'm officially a toddler, not a baby anymore. 

I'm now looking forward to joining the Oak Tree nursery in Wimbledon Park where I'll join my British classmates for 'high tea' every afternoon!!!

More from Wimbledon later...

My first steps

I took my first steps on December 14th, just one day after my 10-month 'anniversary'. It was a Friday so Daddy had the privillege of being the one who witnessed it first. 

When Mommy got home from work that evening, she was so happy to hear about my big milestone. Daddy was trying to get me to demonstrate it again; however, I was so eager to see her that I quickly chose the 'short cut' - I got down on my four and started crawling towards her!

The next day Mommy got to see the real thing as I was cruising around the coffee table and around the queen bed in one bedroom. (As you can see in the picture, I was actually 'admiring' myself standing on my feet in front of the mirror!)

At one point, she took a video of me walking and when all is counted, I had made as many as 16 steps all on my own in that several seconds. 

Grandma said Daddy started walking when he was 8 months old. Ok, so I'm two months behind; however I'm already playing with the famous iPhone and iMac, and even have had my first overseas trip to the Netherlands two weeks ago! These are definitely where I'm way ahead :-)

By the way, this time next week I'll be in a plane heading to India, and then Vietnam, to see my families there for the first time. I can't wait to be there! 

(To my aunties in Vietnam: Mommy has been missing you both so much. It's been two full  years she hasn't seen you. Beware of her when you see her at the airport. Her bear hugs may make you scream in pain!)

My first fever

It's been a long time my Mommy has written a post entry for me. She's been so busy between work and me that she bary has time to do anything else. I can't complain though, as I love to play with her when she's back from work. We can't seem to have enough of each other during those few hours everyday...

Anyway, I've been having this fever since the past Sunday. Mom woke up in the morning and without a thermometer she could tell I was much warmer than usual. By that evening, my temparature soared to approx. 102F. Mom and Dad had quite a panic - it's †he first time this has happened to me and they didn't quite know what to do except for calling my doctor for an urgent appointment on Monday morning.

When I saw Dr. Moureaux, I started to cry when she examined my ears, nose, etc. My body was aching and I just wanted to stay in my Mommy's arms. I also had to pee so the doctor could test my urine sample. For some reason, I couldn't pee for more than an hour. Poor Mom and Dad having to wait so long... Finally, Dad had a trick. He took off my socks, and use a wet wipe to wipe my feet. It worked! He's quite a smart guy! Luckily Dr. Moureaux said all was fine after examining my urine sample.

Since then I've been pampered even more... Everyone in the family - Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa, Grandma - wants to make sure I have all I want and that I don't cry. I think I've leveraged this new found power quite well :-) Daddy said I've been spoilt. Mommy admitted that she herself had claimed being sick from time to time, just to get some special treats from her Mommy. Oh well...

My first tooth has finally arrived!

Mommy came home from work today to a big suprise - the much anticipated arrival of my very first tooth.

Grandma was very proud and happy to announce the news to Mom and Dad. Mom was lucky to have a glance at the growing tooth right away. Daddy was eager to see as well and he was trying to make me laugh. However my cute tongue got in the way and blocked the view of the tooth when I laughed so that effort went no where. He then had to serve his fingers up for me to bite on so he could feel the tooth.

This tooth is in the lower left hand side. Some more will probably come soon. Even without teeth I'm already tasting so many foods - chicken, beef, sweet potatoes, bananas, ice cream, creme brulee, etc. Now that I start to have teeth coming I'm eager to take on even more new tastes and textures.

(Disclaimer: This picture here is just one of the latest ones I have, not a photo taken today. It's hard to see my first tooth as it is just making its appearance. You'll have to wait for some time till I can post a photo of it here.)

First time on the beach

I must have been one of very few babies who have ventured to the beach at only 4.5-month old.

It was on Saturday July 1st that Mom and Dad brought me and my Grandparents to Asharoken (Long Island, NY) to visit Arleen and Martin. Asharoken is a beautiful village right by LI sound. Everything is so quaint and pretty, including the Police station and the Fire Department house. Each house has its own private beach. Martin's house also has a really nice backyard overloooking a bay where you can see the tide comes and goes twice everyday. It was here that Mom and Dad had their wedding back in August 2002.

The day was beautiful with lots of sunshine and cool summer breeze. Not long after we arrived, I found myself sitting on papa Martin's lap and enjoying time with him on the hammock. Zachary and Gabriella - two of Arleen's and Martin's grandchildren - were running around playing with so many toys in the garden.

After lunch, we headed to the beach. Papa Martin first put my feet into the water. The water was still quite cold. (It often takes several months after the winter for the ocean to warm up). However, I enjoyed hearing the sound of the waves for the first time in my life, and looking at the little waves rushing onto the shore. Zachary and Gabriella were eagerly cheering around me as well. They seemed to be just as excited seeing me experiencing the ocean for the very first time...

It was so cool to have all the beach to ourselves - just the four of us. Oh, and Mom and Dad as well so that made six of us. Time flies... Just about a year ago Mommy was swimming here; her tummy was still small at the time as I was only a few-week-old fetus then. Now I'm here excitingly jumping up and down, testing the water and the sand with my own little feet already. I can't wait to go back here more often while the summer is still here.

4th-month well-baby visit

I met my pretty French doctor, Dr. Moureaux, again on June 13th for my 4th- month visit. Daddy was in Dallas for a training so Mommy took me there with my Grandparents.

We arrived in the city almost an hour early so we took a walk in Central Park. It was so good being in the park again, seeing all the strollers with beaming parents and grandparents around, breathing the fresh air. In the Great Lawn a stage was being set for an Opera performance in the evening. Too bad we are not 'New Yorkers' anymore so it would be difficult to stay for the performance! We also took lots of photos. The park was not as stunning as it was several months before with all the cherry and white pear blossoms; however it was still very beautiful.

When we arrived at Dr. Moureaux's office, I got my weight, height, and head circumference measured again, as usual. I now weigh 17 lbs 10 oz; measure 26.5'', which still put me at the 90th percentile. Dr. Moureaux was very glad. She kept saying, 'oh the boy is so big; he is growing very handsomely.' When she saw me craning my neck on the examine table, she told Mom that I would be able to roll over soon. Mom smiled telling her that I had already mastered this trick for the past two weeks.

Then came the most fearsome part of the visit - the immunization shots. I was too excited looking around and too busy smiling and cooing with Dr. Moureaux so I didn't bother to suck on the special pacifier which was filled with sugared water that Mom had prepared for me. Thus, the shots came with such a pain that I screamed and cried. Tear drops were rolling down my cheeks and the crying was so loud that Mom could harldy talk to Dr. Moureaux. Grandma had to take me outside to the waiting room to comfort me. Perhaps it was also more painful because Daddy was not around this time to console me. He was very worried about all the shots that I would have to take this time and had called Mom several times to see how I was doing.

Like the last time, I have been doing quite well this time. Except for somewhat higher-than-normal temperature in the morning, I still laugh and play a lot. The only thing I haven't been able to do is rolling over. It's still a bit painful on my thighs where the shots were injected. Just need to wait a few more days, I guess...