Holiday Card Photo Out-Takes

Merry Christmas! And here's a bunch of holiday card photo out-takes.

We spent one day photographing all the kiddie's activities to hopefully get something decent for our holiday card. These are some of Emilia's out-takes of her play session while Liam was taking a nap.

Cuteness Overload

The kiddies had a special play date!

Bad Santa

Well Santa... not last year, and not this year.. so maybe next year, eh?

Moments like these are so simple, humorous, and precious... I say this with such gratitude for my kiddies in my life. The world scares me and I feel like how Liam and Emilia look with Santa amidst all the recent news. May I be proactive and do my part, however small it may be, in making this world, my kiddies future, a better place.

I am ending 2012 with a resolve to finish things I have planned to do, but has stayed on my to-do list for way too long of a time.

Heavy Thoughts... Gun Control, Safety...

I think majority of people in our society have limited experiences with guns and generally, fear guns. Our experiences with guns is through news and media, which is more than often about violence and death. I know I fear guns even though a gun by itself is simply an instrument. It is an instrument to kill and to harm, as well as an instrument to protect. I prefer not to have a gun around even knowing that it can be a means to protect, for fear of accidental shootings that we also hear in the news. It is something I prefer not to have to think about or worry about and definitely, I do not want the responsibility that comes with a gun. However, the news we hear far too often nowadays, compels me to have at least, an evaluative thought process on the best chance of survival.

I remember my first visit to a shooting range with some friends that are in the military. It was scary to hear a gun being fired at such close proximity. It was nerve wrecking to hold the cold, heavy metal in my hand and to touch and feel a bullet. At the same time, I was extra cautious to make sure that it never pointed in the direction of a person. I am glad that, while limited, I learned the basics of using a gun. Truth be told, I would have no problem using a gun to protect my family. Still... I do not like the idea of guns being around. It would be nice if guns could be eradicated from this earth and people had to fight with bare fists. That will not happen, so I need to re-evaluate safety knowing that guns 1) can and will fall into the wrong hands and 2) there are upstanding citizens, other than police, that would take arms to protect society if necessary.

I listen to NPR and co-workers and various debates lately since the tragedy of Sandy Hook unfolded. It chokes me up when I think of those kids and I wish that they had a fighting chance. Crazies do not make sense and there is no absolute safeguard against crazies. Ideally this is what I would like to see happen:

1) Semi-automatic weapons should be banned.
2) Policies in place that monitor and track gun, ammunition purchases with smart data evaluation that can trigger red flags.
3) Stricter gun purchase evaluation process that includes psychiatric assessments and interview with people in person's surrounding environments
2) Emergency disaster PROACTIVE plans should be in place
3) Qualified protectors in schools, workplaces, etc. that undergo training and have access to secured guns
4) Re-evaluation and restrictions on violence in video games, movies, and media
5) Overhaul on mental healthcare

Guns will fall into the wrong hands, but policies need to be put into place to make it so that it is harder to fall into the wrong hands and harder for crazies to carry out mass destruction. First level of protection is for prevention. Reduce the number of people with mental issues. Second level of protection, make it harder to obtain weapons by stricter policies and bans of semi-automatic guns. Assuming first and second level of protection fails, the third level is to make it easier for us to defend and to protect. Give a fighting chance for our protectors to protect the innocent. Secure firearms that can be accessed by trained and well-evaluated individuals (such as principals, teachers that want to be trained..). Create safety task forces of volunteers in all environments, just like the emergency responders are society volunteers. While the police are our protectors, there just aren't enough of them and by the time they arrive, it is already too late. Good does prevail over evil.. we see that, so let the everyday heroes come out and give them the means to fight. I so wished the teachers had more resources to protect the kids.. even a baseball bat. And last means of protection, teach to be proactive and to fight. Chances are slim at that point, but hiding is only as good as being a sitting duck. At least with fighting, maybe there can be a chance that enough chaos and confusion occurs that some will have a chance to survive and escape.

In summary, while I don't like guns at all.. while I am scared of guns... while I do not think I could be heroic enough to grab a gun for safety means, if it boiled down to it I would want to have access to one if the unimaginable happens. I think we all would if put in that situation.

(Note: I do not like the NRA and I don't like their recommended solution. I think it is short-sighted.)

Feel free to object or comment to this.. I am, probably like most citizens, trying to find answers for a safer environment.

Spinning Liam

The Local Fire Engine

The yearly, neighborhood Toys for Tots event had one of the local fire trucks on display this year. The kiddies checked out the truck, climbed around on it as the firemen/women opened up compartments and let the kids tinker with all sorts of knobs and levers.

Random tidbit: I was talking with one of the firewomen and found out that one aspect of their physical fitness test requires them to be able to pick up and carry 75lbs on their back while doing the stair climber machine for 5 minutes at a mid-level speed.

Fun Time with Liam

Meet Frank

That is Ryan's current nickname for Liam... Frank. So, meet Frank. He is getting more and more stable every day, and as he does, he crawls less and less. It's exciting to see him progress, but at the same time, I'm going to miss the cuteness of the crawling stage.

Frank


This is one of my favorite stages, the in-between crawling and walking. He loves to walk and stumble right into my arms and squeals with delight. No sooner after that, he turns around to take off on another end-target goal to walk towards, the nearby table or chair or Ryan's leg.

Baby Crawl

Oy!

We're still here! Still have a backlog of photos and vids of the kiddies to post and hopefully, I can catch up a little these next few days. Both Ryan and I have been swamped with juggling between our work commitments and the kiddies' schedules.

Here are some catch-up photos of my little man from a few weeks ago.

He Walks! Sort of...

Liam is just starting to get the hang of walking. Connie worked with him last weekend, and got him walking several steps. He's probably done about 10 max, but of course, the camera's never around then. This is the best I could capture. He'll probably be sprinting in a few weeks.

    

Oh Deck the House with Ledgers and Nails.. fa la la la la..

The deck is coming along. This is pretty much our (the kiddies and I) view.

A New Used House!

This was a short-sale and Emilia had a quick loan approval from Uncle Mike. Lucky interest rates are low and loan will be paid back plus some pumpkins. =)

We came across this house while going on a stroll through the neighborhood Seller's Faire. Emilia loved it right away. All I can say is that she's a determined little girl. It was hard to tear her away from the house while on-lookers were watching a futile-me trying to coerce her to leave. I did not have money on hand to purchase it either, but luck was on Emilia's side as Uncle Mike happened to be there and helped us out. Not only did we get a quick pre-approved loan, but also arrangements for transport of the house.

Long story short, I thought the dollhouse was a good deal, in decent shape, and partially furnished. Even came with a set of renters (mini-faux Barbie and Ken).

Imagine the endless ways one can rearrange and organize a 3-story house as fast and as many times with ease! It's a perfect organizer's palette! If only organizing our actual home were that easy...

.. Merry early Christmas present my little girl! =)

Top Floor:

Mid-Level:

Bottom Floor:

Here's a tour of the house and the elevator in action:


I was side tracked by observing how long her hair has grown!

All in the all, this turned out to be a good dollhouse. Emilia still likes it. It's been week since we got it, and in kid-time, that's a long time! Liam likes it as well. Though teaching them to "share" has been a bit more difficult.

Emilia happily poses for photos with her dollhouse. First-time homeowner delight! =)

Just Liam

Just Liam... after a long nap... waiting for dinner... and just chilling.

My Little Man is ONE!

Yup. My Liam is one and a full-fledged little boy. =)