"Talk!"

By MAGGIE WANG

Sedona is just talking up a storm these days. There are times when she'll pull herself up into our laps, make eye contact and say, "Talk!" So we'll run through the day, having a full-blown conversation with her. Every day Kevin and I look at each other in amazement at how much of a person she has become -- at less than 2 years old!

• Just last week, Kevin was tickling Sedona's feet in the car, and she quite casually said, "Don't tickle me." We had never used this sentence before; she just put it together herself. It was really amusing, and she brought it out on her own again a few days later with A-Gong and A-Ma Ding.
• When Maven is crying, Sedona is the first to go give her a kiss and say, "Don't cry, Maven."
• When Sedona is looking for someone, she adorably runs around the house and calls out the person's name. For example, "Maven! WHERE ARE YOU, Maven?"
• Sedona absorbs so much. Lately she is using words that we rarely use. Just today she introduced "sour" while commenting on some food.
• She can pretty fully sing her A-B-C's, "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star," "Happy Birthday," "Elmo's Song" (or "A-Ma's Song," as Kevin has turned it into, much to Sedona's delight) and lately loves "Skip to My Lou, My Darling."
• She can count, sort of. She has gotten past her tendency earlier this month to step out of convention and say: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Maven, 8, 9 ..." But she still tops out at the same point with "... 10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 13 ..."

Here are a couple quick photos ...

Here is Sedona happily going through one of the old Ding family photo albums by herself. We've had them out recently to find some pictures of Kevin's cousin, Joseph Wu, for his farewell party as Taiwan's ambassador to the U.S. Kevin was flabbergasted when he saw some photos from when little Kevin was 6 years old ... and A-Gong and A-Ma Ding were as old as Kevin is now: 37!

By the way, Sedona's outfit shown above is from Sprout Kids Clothing -- and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. My friend Rosa, who used to work for Jennifer Garner's agent, gave us some goodies that were initially meant for Violet Affleck. Celebrities get a lot of free stuff; they pass it along to their agents; and the agents pass the stuff along to us little people. (Thanks, Rosa!) The Sprout clothes are really cool and made from bamboo ... which makes them antibacterial, biodegradable and actually amazingly soft.

Sedona is so fascinating at this age that I'm thrilled to know that we can go through it all over again with Maven. So far Maven has been such a laid-back child. She has already started to wean herself off sucking her fingers to calm herself and is going to bed awake but without any crying, sucking or anything. She is independent and really sweet -- always smiling. We are so fortunate to have such a sweet baby.

Falling Asleep and Rolling Over

By MAGGIE WANG

On Tuesday, July 22, we officially started to sleep-train Maven. What does that mean? Basically it's teaching Maven to put herself to sleep without external help such as swinging, bouncing, pacifier-using or patting. We want to teach our girls how to be independent and stand on their own in this world, and in a small way this is just the beginning of it.

Fortunately, Maven didn't need much assistance, so it wasn't too difficult. Yes, she cried the most she has ever cried in her life, but given she rarely cries it wasn't too bad. The average baby (i.e. Sedona) definitely struggles more with it. Without any outside assistance available to her, Maven seized the opportunity to learn how to suck on the index and third fingers of her right hand as a calming trigger.

Maven is now going down about 9 p.m., waking up at 6:30 a.m. for some food, and then going back down for more slumber until getting up post-9 a.m. to start her day.

We sleep-trained Sedona for the overnights, so she is a great night sleeper. But we probably enjoyed holding her for her naps when she was younger too much; she still won't nap more than an hour a day. We're not making the same mistake twice, and Maven is doing an amazing job -- way better than most parents can ask of their 3 1/2-month-old babies.

On Thursday, July 24, Maven also rolled over from front to back for the first time. She was playing in her crib and just started doing it -- super cute and a fun milestone to hit. (She did back to front maybe two weeks ago with a head pillow for a head start.)

Saturday, July 26, was a party at Art Zone for Sophie Abe's 2nd birthday. Sedona had a major post-nap meltdown prior to going, and we were almost going to skip the party. It was the worst fit we have ever seen from her. She really, really didn't want to take her Sleep Sack off and change clothes. We did eventually come up with a way to get Sedona out the door: We bribed her with her beloved Maven.

Sedona would only go to the party if Maven and Kevin went, too. We've noticed that we can get her to do more things when Maven is joining in. Hopping into the dual stroller is much easier when Sedona gets to sit by Maven, for example. I cannot wait for them to get a little older so they can really play together.

I've also noticed that Maven is watching Sedona a lot when she is playing -- and watching very closely.

Unfortunately, no pictures from Sophie's party. We were lucky to even get out the door (although the other Mommies there refused to believe that reputed model-child Sedona could really throw a full-fledged tantrum).

Once at the party and thereafter, Sedona was great ... so great that T.L. even came over to play.

Here they are playing with my pink Nike house slippers. (To offer my feet the same comforts of home he enjoys, Kevin got them for me to match his black slippers that they are also enjoying.)

Today, was Anita's bridal shower (http://www.jinpatisserie.com/). It was a lot of fun. Anita has some super sweet friends and great bridesmaids.

Smiling Maven

By MAVEN DING

The past weekend was pretty chill for me with quality individual time with both my parents. On Saturday, Mommy brought Sedona to Kendall's birthday party while I bonded at home with Daddy. Sedona loved the bounce house there so much that they were gone for four hours! On Sunday, Sedona went to Atticus and Skyler's combined birthday party with A-Gong & A-Ma Ding -- and there was another bounce house; Sedona's lucky weekend! Daddy went to play softball in Orange (It was a doubleheader, they won both and Daddy didn't play up to expectations but did hit a 3-run homer ... congrats!), so it was just Mommy & me. I love my mommy more than anything!

I haven't been out much, but now that I'm getting older, my parents want me to start exploring the world. Here we are at Sedona's favorite park: Fort Lots of Fun in Hermosa.

Sedona -- check out those tippy-toes! -- is an eager beaver and peeking in!

An artistic portrait of Sedona in the sun taken by Daddy.

And yes, there I am sleeping. Exploring the world is tiring!

Riley and Sedona are leaving the park so that their mommies can get ready to hit Burke Williams for some evening relaxation treatments. Mommy said it is very sweet that Daddy knows how to take care of us so that Mommy can go have some time to herself. I love my daddy; he sets the standard awfully high for any guy who tries to date Sedona or me. Beware!

When Mommy came home from the spa, she was so refreshed that we played, chit-chatted and laughed it up. It was fun!

I'm super talkative now. There's nothing better than one-on-one face time with someone! And I love to smile.

Daddy worries that I'm going to be a blabbermouth given how I'm always interrupting his TV time with Mommy at night. A-Gu Felix would be so proud of me. ;)

Overall, I'm doing really well. I'm going down for overnight sleep around 10-11 p.m., then waking up for breakfast in bed with Mommy at 6-7:30 a.m. Then more sleep with Daddy! I've got the life!

Play Date with Austin Lev

By MAVEN DING

My parents have been trying to arrange a play date with Daddy's other B.F.F., Michael (better known as Mag) Lev, for a few weeks now. We finally got a chance to bond today, and it was a lot of fun ... until I fell asleep.

We aren't smiling on the outside, but we are smiling on the inside, I guess. What do you expect? We're only 3 months old. At least we aren't crying the way we were on our first play date.

Of course, attention-lover Sedona has to jump into our photo because she wants a chance to hold Baby Austin. (Sedona at one point -- unprompted -- pointed to Austin and said: "Friend. Austin. Friend.")

Our parents want us to acknowledge each other so we were assigned some head-to-head tummy time. It was Austin's first time tummying on a Boppy. He's a quick learner and he wouldn't get off -- staying up there long after I'd headed off into slumberland.

Sedona finds us 'babies' quite entertaining. After entertaining my guest, Austin, I needed a nap, but I heard that Austin really enjoyed my fishy bouncer seat and then my Bumbo chair while I slept. Glad I could share!

Please come visit again! We had fun! (And in a follow-up to the "Andrew Tsai" story about Sedona remembering him, word is that as she was lying in bed to fall asleep tonight, she could be heard in there talking to herself and saying: "Mag! Mag!")

Andrew Tsai addendum

By KEVIN DING

True story from this very morning (one day and two nights after Andrew Tsai’s last visit here, in which Sedona showcased full and frequent usage of her ability to call "Andrew Tsai" by his full name, as taught by Maggie):

I get Sedona out of bed and pick her up. Neither of us says anything (I have just stumbled out of bed to go fetch her). Then she breaks the silence with her first words of the day: “Andrew Tsai.”

She says, “Andrew Tsai. Andrew Tsai.” After a brief pause, she continues as she begins to look up at me and make sure I’m listening: “Coming. Coming! Coming soon!”

I say while hugging her, “Sorry, Andrew Tsai isn’t coming back soon.”

She slumps against me and puts her head down.

About 40 minutes later, Sedona and I are upstairs alone, waiting for her nanny to arrive and take over, as usual, at 8 a.m. We hear the front door open and the nanny start to come up the stairs. I ask Sedona who is here.

“Andrew Tsai!” she exclaims.

Andy & Purva Tsai's visit

By SEDONA DING

Mommy left us again for another bachelorette party, this time in Vegas for Auntie Anita. Mommy missed us but had a lot of fun. They ate, danced at Studio 54, ate more, lounged by the pool in a private cabana, ate again, danced at Tao ... and then ate some more before coming home!

Fortunately, A-ma Ding was around at home to play with us and help Daddy, so it wasn't too exhausting for him to take care of the two of us.

Before Mommy left for her trip, one of Daddy's B.F.F.'s from N.Y.C. came to visit: Andy. He and wife Purva came kidless for his work event, so I didn't get to meet Anaya and Jay, but they brought me cool gifts that I bet the twins wish they got. THANK YOU!

We got into our matching dresses for the Tsais' special visit.

Here I am showing Uncle Andy where Maven's belly button is. Maven's reaction (check out her face): "Jeez, not again!" I do this quite a lot. But I do everything quite a lot when it comes to playing with Maven, about whom I debate with Daddy. I say Maven is a "toy"! For some reason he says she is a "girl."

Aww... Maven got a kiss. Where is mine?!

Purva said holding Maven gave her the itch for more babies!

But if more Tsai babies are coming, "Andrew Tsai" -- that's what I excitedly yelled out nonstop when he came back for a second visit a week later -- needs to tap back into his baby-holding instincts. I'm sorry, I mean "toy-holding" instincts.

I will say that Uncle Andy was a trouper in trying to keep up with my dance moves while watching my beloved "Mommy & Me" video. Here we're doing "The Wheels on the Bus."

He doesn't have it down the way I do -- amateur! -- so he smartened up and started watching me. One thing Uncle Andy did bring to the table -- something Daddy told me about later and I fell in love with -- was how Jay Tsai imitates elephants by swinging his arm in front of his nose. Now that is some sophisticated East Coast humor!

I'm really looking forward to meeting him and Anaya now, so count me in for the bandwagon lobbying the Tsais to move to Santa Barbara!

On a side note: On Tuesday, I went on my 1st train ride at the South Bay Galleria with my friends. I loved it so much I went again on Wednesday after going to the movie theater for the 1st time to see Shrek 3. I sat quietly while mommy snuggled up on me.

Art Class

By SEDONA DING

I'm in Art Class on Mondays for 10 weeks. Today was the first day Mommy came with me (last week, she was in Cabo playing). I usually like to paint, but today all I wanted to do was wear the smock.

I really enjoyed the Play-Doh. I made lots of shapes with it.
Then while I was napping, Auntie Leslie stopped by and played with Maven. I'm so sad that I missed seeing Leslie, but I was just trying to indulge all the people who tell me I should nap more than 20 minutes a day.

The rest of the Freedom weekend ...

By SEDONA DING

Gosh, I had a FUN weekend, as you'll see from all the photos I'm sharing with you!

On Saturday, we went to A-ma Alice & A-gong Toshi's country club to have lunch. I ate so much that A-ma Alice seriously suggested that I ate more than she did. Ha-ha! Maybe!

Mommy and Daddy took a quick catnap while I terrorized Inu & Crystal before we hit the water for some swimming at the club house. I love the pool and didn't want to get out. WATER! WATER! WATER!

After our fun time in Bel-Air, we headed straight to the Palisades to have dinner with my boyz! Skyler was quite attentive during my visit in somewhat trying to play with me and playing piano for me to the point that I started swaying to his music! (Skyler noticed and whispered to his mommy, my A-Go, about what I was doing.) I was quite attentive to him also, asking Daddy to take me inside to check on Skyler after he fell off his scooter and got two nasty ow-ies on his foot.

Check out Skyler being my chauffeur. I think I could manage living this type of lifestyle.

Apparently Daddy just doesn't get it: People push, drive and carry me around. But I'll indulge him for this photo op that shows off his brand-new short-for-summer haircut.

Now this is more like it! I sit on Atticus!
And yes, Maven was there. She was a sweetie. She mostly slept quietly so I could get the attention.

On to Riley's 2nd birthday party at the beach in Hermosa on Sunday!

I wish I got to eat the frosting on the cake like Riley Sky, but my parents are sticklers against too many sweets.

Well, I just sat quietly and ate my grapes. Who needs artificial sweets when there is fruit?This is how Daddy & Mommy keep track of Maven's feeding times. They diligently write it on the fridge so they can make sure she doesn't eat too often and develop into a snacker. They did the same thing for me, too, and it did turn out that I like structure in a variety of ways.
A-gong & A-ma Ding have been in Vegas -- living it up like "kings," to quote A-gong Ding -- with Daddy's 3-gu (Li-Pei Wu), so I didn't see them for a whole week! It was rough for them, too, and because they missed me so much they immediately hustled over to visit Maven and me.A-ma Ding and I played the new game that I call 'cut' ... short for super-fun cutting-board stuff. I LOVE this toy; I can't get enough of it. A-Go gave just gave it to me. Thank you, A-go! I can tell we are developing a real bond.
No worries, I'll make sure little Maven gets to play with all my hand-me-down toys!

Speaking of new hairdos in the family, Mommy just figured out a way to pull the hair out of my eyes without putting it in a full ponytail (Daddy likes my hair down).
Hmm ... let's see if I can do it with Maven's hair!
So much happened over the weekend, I'm pooped! Night!

Happy July 4th!

Maggie here. I hate to admit that July 4th has never been a real big holiday for me. But I woke up this morning excited that Sedona would be experiencing her first July 4th (last year doesn't count 'cuz she didn't know any better, like Maven this year). I was telling Sedona what July 4th was all about, and it really made me stop to think about how lucky we are to live in the States. I feel so fortunate and grateful that my daughters can do and be anything they want to be here.

Okay, enough sappy stuff.

To celebrate this great day of freedom, we brought the girls to Wilson Park in Torrance (one of Kev's usual softball home fields) for some festivities.

Sedona loved Daddy's beef hot dog wrapped in bacon, preferring it to my lamb gyro ... but I rallied at the end with my kettle corn.

Sedona was so excited about feeding the birds she was willing to surrender her precious Kashi cereal (look for it at a grocer near you to occupy your toddler!).
More swings (pretty cool photo) ... of course.

More slides ... of course.
And well, this is how much Maven enjoyed it! :)Lulu came over in the evening. Sedona and Maven had fun playing with and watching Toffee, a brother Yorkie to Inu. They seem to be dog lovers like their Mommy.
We went up and watched fireworks on our rooftop deck -- and Sedona went crazy (as opposed to her scaredy-cat act last year). She was all atwitter: “Wow!” “Stars!” “Green!” And she even broke out into song (“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”) at one point.

After Sedona went to bed, Maven got active for her usual exclusive time. We are noticing that Maven is super alert between 8:30-10:30 p.m. It is as if she knows she'll be getting our undivided attention. Poor second child (both Kevin and I are second children).

So cute, huh? Yes, Daddy did pick the shirt!
Happy July 4th!

Love, Maggie

Mommy's Home!!!

By MAGGIE WANG

I got back from Cabo on Monday while Kevin watched Sedona and Maven by himself for five days. He did a great job -- even with Maven getting a little cold during my time away.

I had a lot of fun hanging out and getting to know Jennie's best friends better. It was packed with a lot of activities (yes, besides drinking). It started Friday with a booze cruise that included snorkeling and saw wild dolphins up close. On Saturday, we went ATVing (which I enjoyed so much that I'm going to have to take Kevin some time). On Sunday, we went zip-lining and repelling off a cliff. Zip-lining wasn't as scary as I expected; repelling was freaky when I first let go -- but what an awesome feeling to see what I'd accomplished upon reaching the end.

I enjoyed myself, but I really missed Sedona and Maven.

The day I left was the first day of Sedona's Kids First class with Coach Derek, where Sedona will learn soccer, T-ball and basketball. Kevin and Maven also went to the class so that I could head straight to LAX afterward.

Sedona was timid most of the class but in this picture looks like a pro!

I had Maven facing outward in hopes she'd start absorbing outside stimuli. Guess not.

Isn't she sweet? Sedona even stops to give Maven a hug.

Soccer photos are courtesy of Whitney Boole. Thank you!

This week has been playing catch-up with work and getting back into the groove of things.

This is Sedona's second day of class. I was hoping she would really enjoy the class since her Daddy is such a sports guy, but well, I can't say anything yet (Sedona was saying 'Go home' and pointing to the park across the street saying, 'Park').

Teddy and his girlfriend, Lily, came over today with El Pollo Loco food to visit Maven, but we're not sure she was too happy with his novice baby-holding technique. :-)

P.S. - Maven's doctor's appointment was Tuesday, July 2, and she weighed in at a hefty 15 pounds, 11 ounces.