It is the little things in life...

One of the best feelings in the world is receiving a text message at work and having this face pop-up on  the screen of my cell phone. 

Aunt Letty

A couple of weeks ago your Aunt Letty graduated college! She's one of my best friends and my maid of honor. I know she will be in our lives for a long time. Here are a few pictures of us at her graduation lunch at The Cheesecake Factory in Dallas. Unfortunately, we missed the ceremony. But we still showed up and thats what counts!

Everyone loved your reindeer hat!

Sock Monkey

My little Sock Monkey.

Here you are laying on your Great Grandmothers bed being silly. I love you Mason. You have no dea how much you mean to me. Everything I do in life is for you.

19 Weeks

Dear Mason...you have just experienced your first Christmas

Son,

We had a busy and fun-filled Christmas week this year.  On Thursday we took you to go look at the lights at Interlochen located in Arlington. Once you get older I am sure the lights at Interlochen will still be a tradition, but in case they aren't, I will elaborate.  Interlochen is a residential community where everyone gets together and decorates their homes/yards for the public to view.  The drive takes about an hour just to view it, thankfully we live down the street from it. You slept through first half of the drive but you seemed to enjoy the second half once you woke up.  Here are a few homes we saw....

On Friday, our family (including Shorty) drove to Arkansas.  Thats where we saw your Great Grandmother, all of your great aunts and great uncles, and cousins (and 2nd cousins).  You received a lot of attention and everyone held you in their arms.  I was lucky enough to take photos of you and your Great Grandmother.  She is almost 80 years old and I want you to get to know her as much as possible.  She said you were a big boy and she wasn't able to hold you for too long.  

I love this photo of you and Great Grandma

She is definitely someone you should look up to...

:)

On Saturday morning, yourself and I (along with some family) went to the Thai Buddhist Temple at 7:00 am in the morning.  You were tired and slept through the trip but I was able to take a few photos of the experience.  Two of the senior Monks prayed for you and said you were a big baby.  Just to let you know, your mother and I are not the most religious people in the world.  But we want to expose you to different religions and let you choose the "right" one for you.  We will support you in your decision.

The view from the Temple's window

Praying

Blessing

Later that night, which is Christmas Eve, everyone gathered at Grandma's house, had Christmas Dinner, and opened presents.  It seemed as if you really enjoyed opening your presents, due to the sounds the gift wrapping paper makes.  You received a lot of toys and some clothes.  Your mother and I discussed how it was interesting that you received a lot of toys/gadgets which will help get you to sleep longer at night; we will see if it works and I will let you know.

Great Grandma's tree

That's not even half the people that were there

One of the sleeping gadgets

Another one of your sleeping gadgets

Shorty helped with the torn wrapping paper

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Your mother and I hope you enjoyed your first Christmas as much as we did.  We love you.

- Dad

Christmas 2011

This is your first meeting with Santa Claus

We just got back from Mason's first Christmas.  Our family drove to Fort Smith, Arkansas to spend Christmas with my grandmother, brother, aunts, uncles, and tons of cousins and second cousins .  Overall it was a great experience.  I know Mason enjoyed seeing everyone and receiving all his gifts.  It is a Christmas our family will never forget.

Our tree at home

Mommy and you

Mason with all his gifts

More photos from our trip will be posted soon....

18 Weeks

Mason turned 18 weeks Monday. I'm so glad we do the weekly pictures of him because I like to look back at the pictures and see how much he has grown in just a week.  I have to admit that it is hard to keep up with the weekly pictures but I look forward to it! I have no idea when I will stop...but it’s a fun way for us to bond a little more!

This week’s photo was a little different because we took the picture at Macy’s on a clothing display! It looked too neat to pass up. We were planning on taking the weekly picture with Santa but the line was too long!

- Laura

4 months old!

He sure has some cute little feet! 

His head was cold, but not the rest of his body :)

Christmas is approaching...

Christmas is getting closer and it feels like we haven't accomplished anything.  Instead of buying a lot of gifts for each other like in the past years we both decided to splurge on Mason, obviously.  There's so much we want to get him since it is his first Christmas.  People may say he's only a baby and won't remember it, but we both will.  Plus we can always look back on our blog and photos and reminisce on the past.

Mason's first Christmas ornament!

As we have always said, tomorrow is never promised.  We will always treat every Christmas as if it was our last.  Everyone, remember to tell your family, friends, and significant others how much you love them.  It never hurts to be reminded every now and then.

Phan & Laura

Our Little Jolly Snowman is 17 weeks old!

Mason's first professional photo

This was the first professional photo of Mason taken at the hospital.  We currently have it hanging on our refrigerator.  We kept forgetting to place it on this blog but now we can share it with everyone.

Trying to teach Mason Vietnamese

In today's world, it is important for children to know at least a second language.  In school it is mandatory students take a foreign language.  So I am trying to give Mason a head start and exposing him to the Vietnamese language.   I wouldn't say I am an expert at the language in any means...even though I am a certified interpreter at work....

Learning songs with Be Xuan Mai

 Well, I am trying to expose him to more Vietnamese children shows and music.  He will get more than his fair share of the English language at home with his Mom and I.  I just want the best for him.

This was his first time watching a Vietnamese show, he seems to really like it.

Setting up the Christmas tree

A few days ago we all put up Mason's first Christmas Tree.  Mason seems to be infatuated by all of the different colors on the tree.  Next year, we may go for a classic white light tree.  We can't wait until Mason grows up and can help us put on the ornaments.

Our little penguin is 16 weeks old!

He has happy feet!

Our little penguin with a frog pose

The first solid-type food Mason tries is....apples!

While at work this evening, I received these photos on my phone from Laura.  I now see why Mason doesn't like the formula I feed him when I come home from work...

Actually, this was Mason's first time trying any type of food rather than milk.  Laura said he liked to suck on the apple and never came close to biting it.  

I am glad we remembered to take photos of Mason eating his "first" solid food.  There's nothing like receiving photos on my cell phone while at work.  

-Phan

Our little reindeer is 15 weeks!

Ba Noi leaves back to SC

Ba Noi came on Thanksgiving day and left today.  It was a short but sweet visit.  We shall see her again soon.  Mason is definitely attached to her.

"Ba Noi, please don't leave me"

Ba Noi spending her last few minutes with Mason

The goodbye photo

We have finally set the date!

July 28th, 2012!

We have finally set the date for our wedding.  With the help of Phan's family, they stated this date is a good and lucky day for our wedding.  It will be taking place in Arlington, Texas.  We will give our family and friends more information as the date gets closer.  

The lucky date

Phan's Aunt reading the date's fortune

Mason's first visit to the Buddhist Temple

Bundled up and ready for the Arkansas weather

Thai Buddha

Mason's Great Grandmother and Aunt preparing breakfast for the monks

The monks eating breakfast

The head-monk preparing a special gift for Mason

The monk asked me if you were a boy or girl,
since you are a boy they were able to touch and hold you.

Receiving words of wisdom from the monks

A special prayer for you

You are blessed

Great Grandma requested to take a photo with you.
You are loved.