August 2009---16 Months

"Sue"dini strikes again! Leibee is never one to abandon her practice sessions as an escape artist. The last time we witnessed her abilities was when we discovered her keen skill at freeing herself from the swaddling blanket many months ago. This time, it was the carseat straps.

We spent some time with Lauren's college roommate during an overnight playdate. Sam's daughter Asha is 2 months younger than Leibee, so it was a great deal of fun to catch up together and have the girls enjoy some fun with another little companion to play with! As you can see, the piano was quite a hit. Did Leibee inherit some of her daddy's music abililities?

Wo Wo (Cantonese for "dog") has been a huge hit in Leibee's eyes. He is a rocking puppy (as in "rocking horse") that Leibee mounts several times a day. His soft, plush fur is silky to the touch, and given Leibee's great love for all things dog, he has become a cherished stuffed friend. You can see her catching a ride with Rhino as an accompanying passenger.

Party Time!

We were invited to attend a quinceanera for one of Lowell's youth group teens. It was fun for us girls to put on our party clothes and get down on the dance floor. Lowell was pulling double duty as a working guest, serving at the DJ, audio-visual technician, and

sound guy.

April 2009---12 Month Well Baby Appointment

Leibee's pediatrician, Dr. Yung is very knowledgeable, professional, and kind-hearted. We have really enjoyed getting to know him and deeply appreciate the much-needed support we have relied upon during Leibee's first year. Beginning at this appointment, pediatric patients begin wearing little gowns. Check out our peanut! She's growing long faster than wide, so

even with her immense appetite for life and, well, food...she appears to resemble a stringbean. She's active and though even not yet walking, shows signs of readiness and very nimbly moves from hear to there utilizing a one-legged walk and one-legged crawl type of mobility.

April 2009---Happy Birthday, Leibee!

Leibee's first birthday celebration was a very special event for our family. We spent a quiet afternoon together at the park, just Lowell, Leibee, and me (Lauren). Dining over a lunch feast from Wendy's, we also relaxed under the trees, fed the duckies, and took pictures together.

The festivities continued at her intimately-sized birthday party a couple of days later. More beautiful weather could not have been asked for, and we set up camp at a local park around a cupcake theme. The guests enjoyed yummy treats courtesy of Leibee's wonderful grandparents and aunties, uncles, and cousins, and everyone pitched in to make the party a smashing success! There was a cupcake-eating contest, ice cream cone cupcake decorating station, and tons of fun to be had taking a nice nap, chatting with others, or playing on the nearby jungle gym. Leibee was quite the exuberant guest of honor as she immediately rose to her feet upon hearing us sing "Happy Birthday" to her. She then daintily licked frosting and took a modest bite of her first birthday cupcake.

Phase 3 of Leibee's birthday celebration was a smallish family dinner over Korean tofu soup and barbecue with her grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and parents. Phew! What a busy and exciting way to express our joy in reaching the milestone that was Leibee's very first birthday!