Friends and family (part 2)

After we spent our Boxing day to rest, Aidan and his parents are prepared to meet more friends and family. =)

First, we have mommy's 5th auntie visited in the morning ...

Including her son.  It's so cool, I think I did the exact same thing while I was a boy visiting my relatives.  =)

In the afternoon, we headed out to meet up our church friends.  

We also used this occasion to celebrate one of the fathers' birthday.

And as a tradition, we always have to take pictures of the birthday cake.

As you've noticed, this gathering is set up to be a baby safari at the very beginning, so I have tons of great opportunities to take pictures of the cute faces!

If you remember from my previous post, this is baby Zachary.  Man, he is HUGE now, compare to the time when I last took his picture.

Looking at him looking and exploring really makes me feel old about myself. =P

And his smile always worth a million dollars. =D

And we also have other children showing up.  This cute boy, CJ, was really curious about my flash. =D

And that's nice, because he proactively give me very funny poses. =)

And remember Hazel?  She has grown up too ...

She's also curious about my flash. =P

I think she'll have a bright future to be a martial artist.  Hee Ya!!!

And here we have little Angie being really curious on everything around her.  Wooo... so cute!

As for the adults, we treasure this little time we have spared to chat and learn about parenting.

Noticed the Christmas tree?  I promised my friend that we take a family portrait with this tree.  But unfortunately Aidan needs to be fed and prepare for our 'next' dinner.  So we have to leave early... A definite miss for me!! =P

Didn't take many pictures during the dinner, as I'm still not bold enough to carry a big camera and shoot everywhere.  I only took a peak at Aidan...

After the dinner, we also had a chance to celebrate the birthday of mommy, uncle and auntie.  And again I didn't take the cake shot because the perfect spot is taken by my father-in-law.  I also need to be in the background holding Aidan high up behind mommy.  =)

I can only take the after math shots. =P

Uncle and his wife also need to take a picture before they head back to NY the next morning.

But I do have a chance to take this shot, which I'm very happy with because of the joyful expression they all have.  I forgot what we were talking about when we take the shot, maybe something about Aidan's poisonous gas... =P

Family & Friends

Christmas surely kept us busy...

But unlike the usual stress and hectic feeling that normal 'busy' brings, Christmas busy brings us warmth and love because it's about time that we spent with dear family and friends.

We brought Aidan over to his grannies' house on Christmas day, where his uncle and auntie are also in town.

This is the first Christmas that Aidan meet his uncle and auntie.  I think he's still getting use to meeting all the new people (actually, including mommy and me. =P)

And I don't think he has any problem with that at all, because everyone is very eager to make contact with him.  =)

Aidan is also willing to make his connection with others, relatively.

Part of the warmth we feel is the Christmas family brunch.

It looks simple, but there sure is a lot of effort and love behind.  And I personally had a very good time with it. =)

After our good brunch, we continue to put all the attention back to Aidan.

Until of course, he gets tired. =)

And fell to sleep ... zzz...

While everyone busily hecking each other to get what they want during Boxing day, we spent a quiet day at home, entertaining this little creature.

Mommy got a special time playing with her favorite toy ...

And I must say, entertaining him also have the parents enegerized, especially when we see the reward. =D

To be continued...

Color of Christmas

That was the theme of my church's Christmas celebration.  And this year we have a white Christmas!

The settings in church was very beautiful, but I didn't have chance to take many pictures as I need to sing in choir.

During the service, the pastor asked what color my Christmas is.  To me this is a very meaningful question, considering the state of global economy and our living world now.

Even though the reality doesn't reflect the atmosphere we're supposed to have, Christmas is the time when we should celebrate the birth of Christ.  To me, I'd always try to perceive it as bright and joyful colors, regardless of how difficult the time is.

So my color of Christmas is gold, for our Lord's glory.  

Red, for His love.

And white, for His purity and holyness.

This year is also Aidan's first Christmas.

And since Christmas signifies purity and holyness, we cleansed him for this important day! =)

First mommy will clean his mouth ...

Then Aidan will be undressed and becomes a small wing baby ... =P

Afterwards mommy continues to clean his face and comb his hair ...

I think this is a pretty enjoyable process for him.

And before Aidan is put into the water, we'll make sure he finished his business.  Otherwise he'll be soaked in deep sh_t. =P

When all the little things are done, daddy will initiate Aidan's bathing sequence.

Aidan wasn't very used to water and cried his butt off.  But after several bathing sessions, he starts to enjoy this soothing rub and cleaning from daddy. =)

And now he mostly keeps quiet and enjoy a rub of his back and bum.

I personally enjoy this very much too, as this is one of the rare moments where I can have skin-to-skin with him. 

This is also one of those moments he doesn't struggle or cry much, regardless of what pose we put him in. =D

After daddy finished with Aidan, mommy will go ahead and dry him up.

And notice his color shift before and after his bath... =D

Finally, we have a clean and cute baby. =P

And that's it for me today.  I wish everyone has a wonder Christmas and enjoy the rest of their holidays.