Boys vs. Girls

Whenever I talk to people about their kids, I always ask them about how different there kids are from each other. The reason I always ask is that I am constantly astonished by the differences in my kids. Personality, size, noise level, speech... the variances amaze me. It doesn't seem to matter if you have 2 boys, or 2 girls, or one of each, the answer I always get back is something like, "Oh yeah, they are like night and day when it comes to ____."

I used to think it was just gender differences. But the more I watch, the more I think there has to be something more. While Katie and Andy certainly share a common toe-headed resemblance, the rest of their behaviors lead me to believe that there must be infinite variables in the gene sequencing equation... as that could certainly be the only explanation for the wild differences between the two. Either that or God must really have enjoyed making contrast when he planned out boys vs. girls.

While the picture above may appear rather poorly composed and infinitely mundane (and in many ways it is!), I think it truly represents this sibling contrast in a way that is almost poetic. If only I had this on video, you would truly get a better grip on the moment.

The moment behind the photo: I just got home after a long day and I am trying to spend the quickly dwindling last moments of the day with the two kids before bedtime. Both are like puppies, trying to get my attention at the same time and eager to play. Katie, is having me help her put on a Princess Necklace and modeling it for me in the most elegant poses that a 4-year-old can muster. And Andy, well he's got his head inside the shopping basket, maintaining his balance while yelling as loud as he can, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...." The plastic-echoey sound bouncing off the inside of the cart forces him to giggle intermittently, adding to the challenge of keeping his balance and his breath, while still perpetuating his Eureka discovery of inverted-plastic-shopping-cart-echo-yodelling.

And I submit to you again, while they look the same... these are two very different kids. Perhaps the most amazing thing here, is that they still play together and get along like peas and carrots. Check that... the most amazing thing here is that I'm actually proud of them for displaying these wondrous traits.

Until next time.

Frowing Up

We have had a good amount of rain lately. In between the showers, we get these beautiful clear days with nice warm weather. This weekend we headed to the beach in the morning. As you can see from Andy's expression, he was excited o get out of the house an unleash his energy on the outside world. He is simply a nut. His vocabulary is off the hook, the kid is saying new words and sentences every day and it's hard not to have a conversation with him without hearing something you haven't heard before. SOme of Andy's current favorite sayings:

"DET UP!" -- Means get up, and do soemthing for me.

"Dat's MINE TaTee!" -- He not so good at sharing right now, were working on that. Katie is being awesome about her brother's selfishness -- perhaps even bordering on enabling...

"You going work DaDeee?" -- He asks me this pretty much every day, wodnering if I am going to work or staying home for the day. Hasnt quite grasped the notion of weekdays vs weekends.

So I have been stricken with the flu since Sunday and Im pulling out of it today. It was prety bad there on Monday and I really couldnt move. Katie was quite concerned and she came into the bedroom and brought me some stuffed animals.

Katie: "Daddy, this is my Teddy Bear and Mountain Lion"

Me: "Thanks Katie, they can keep me company."

Katie: *Excited* "Yeah! They can be in bed with you!" [Katie has the amazing quality of getting excited about the strangest things, her teachers have mentioned it to us as one of her cutest qualities]

Katie: "Daddy, the Mountain Lion is sick too. She frowed up cause she is sick."

Me: "Oh dear, is she OK now.?"

Katie: "Yeah, I gave her some medicine. But when she gets sick, she is going to frow up again."

(The picture of Katie is takn by Jen while laying on the ground at the beach and balancing Katie on her feet.)

I dun noooo

Well, I am back from yet another work trip. Sheesh. Should calm down now for a bit and I'm looking forward to getting some R&R and spending time with the kids... ummm wait, those two don't mix...

Anyhow, Katie is entering a 'nice' phase, at least aroudn her daddy. She greets me every eveneing with super soft hugs and kisses and is bing extra gentle and nurturing all the time. It's a pretty funny contrast to my son whos idea of fun is jumping on my stomach until I yell in pain. Andy's hugs are always as hard as he can, he grits his teeth, throws his had back and grunts while he tries to squeeze the life out of me. Andy's favorite saying is currently, "I Du NOOOOOooo..." which is his response to about 50% of the questions I ask him. I htink he just finds it easier to say that instead of thinking. Kinda like the kids version of, "yes dear..."

Valentines meets Chineese New Year

Well, I am spending Valentine's Day in Singapore. Doesnt quite seem fair when your sweetheart is 6000 miles away! This job is a lot of fun and challenging but I am crazy busy. I called home this morning to wish the family a happy V-Day. Jen and I actually got a chance to go out last Saturday and celebrate. Her parents are in town and were kind enough to babysit for us. Katie is funny, when I talk to her on the phone, all she wants to ask me is, "What presents are you going to bring me?" "Do they have any princesses there?" Haha. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of getting her presents on the last 2 trips I went on and now it has become an expectation. Keep in mind that I did a lot less travelling in my old job. But I think I scored big on this trip as they had really cool silk (Mulan-like) chiness pajammas here for only $20. I am expecting them to go over big with Katie.
Singapore is beautiful. Its tropical here, feels like Hawaii. Looks like Hong-Kong. Huge high-rises. It's a few days from Chineese New Year, and for those of you who don't know what that is like over here, let me just tell you that it is a big deal. They basically shut down everything for a few weeks and celebrate like crazy. Very interesting culture. I fly home tomorrow. The flight is like 18 hours long... ugh. I'm going to try and get some much needed sleep.

For those interested in Singapore, heres a link to a pic on the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Singapore.jpg
In the foreground bottom left of the photo is a fountain right on the water. Last night I sat right there outside and had dinner!

Working Late

With my new job, I have been putting in some longer hours at the office. I work in a new building now, on the same site. My new building has a really nice view of the surrounding SD valley areas. Last night, as I was getting ready to go to a staff dinnner, I was confronted with this view in the photo above. It was a really beautiful sunset.

As far as the family goes, Andy has a nasty double-ear infection, but he seemed pretty bouncy this morning. Lots of coughing still around our place. I swear it seems like everyone has been sick with something for months!

Oh yeah, and LOST is back on! Woo!!!

Back in Action

Well, our camera has been busted since the new year, and we finally got a new one. After going though the exercise again to see what's best for us, we settled again on the Canon Rebel XTi. Got a slight upgrade to 10MPs this time and we are pleased with some of the new UI features. Anyhow we will try to get back int he swing of more posting again. Sorry for the blackout.

Nana visited this weekend. Superbowl day today. Spent the morning in Del Mar at the park. Here are a few snaps. Beautiful day today in San Diego, inthe 70s. Katie delving into a new hobby... hair sparklie thingies. Nana got her a bunch of stuff to play with so expect to see a lot going on up there in the coming months. Andy, well hes the same -- getting more boyish every day.