The Week in Review

Between enjoying these two sweet kids and studying Chinese, I've chosen to put this blog on the back burner recently.  However, I do still want to stay in touch with faraway family and friends, so I'm going to try something new.  Every week I'll sit down for 15 minutes and to post a few pictures and stories from our week..."The Week in Review."

The highlight of this week was Wednesday--typhoon day!  Typhoon Matmo hit Taipei, which meant no school or work for Kalan.  We made pancakes, read stories, played games, and took naps.

Even with the typhoon, the weather has still been hot, hot, hot.  Most mornings this week we tried to beat the heat in our balcony swimming pool (aka IKEA storage container):

 Another highlight: we got a package from our Maine family this week!  Keira was thrilled with the new books, as you can see.  We've read "Pat the Bunny" eleven times today (but who's counting?)  Thanks Aunt Laura and Uncle James!

Jude started rolling over this week, and continues to charm us with his constant grins.

And can you guess what this is?  This is my husband being awesome.  Since Jude was born, Kalan has done all our menu planning, all the grocery shopping, all the meal-prepping, and puts everything in the freezer in labeled bags.  I just have to throw it in the slow cooker.  I don't know how he finds time for this, being a full-time Chinese student and working, but he does.  This is true love in action!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

--Kayt

Jude's Birth Story

Here's the story of how Jude came into the world (several months after the fact).  :)

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Jude: 3 Months Old

From Turnip Cake to Bok Choy

Lately I've been thinking about how my kids' childhood experiences already differ vastly from my own.

For example, here's what my toddler likes to eat for...

Breakfast: Turnip Cake

Turnip and sticky rice made into a "cake."  Keira's personal record is four slices in one sitting.

Lunch: Seaweed-Tuna Triangle

Tuna and rice wrapped in seaweed.  She also likes to eat seaweed sheets plain, like chips.

Snack: Dried Fish with Almonds

Who needs goldfish crackers when you can have the real thing?  At least they're high in calcium.

Dinner: Bok Choy

"You must eat a bite of chicken and rice before you can have more bok choy."  

Yes, I really have to say that.

But don't worry.  Keira also loves cold water*, string cheese, and peanut butter...

...she's a decidedly American toddler just loving her Taiwanese world.

*Taiwanese people generally only drink room-temperature or warm water.  Cold water is said to be bad for you.

4 Years!

A lot can change in four years...

May 22, 2010

May 22, 2014

Jude: One Month Old

Jude is one month old today!

Favorite sleeping position:

Favorite awake position:

Beautiful quilt made by a friend (thanks Binky!):

It's never too early to be a fan:

And...this is what happens when Mama goes to start the laundry, leaving big sister alone with little brother for 30 seconds:

She was a bit frustrated when he wouldn't hold the blocks.

At least she likes to share.  :)

We're so happy you're in our family, Jude!

Hey Jude

One week ago, we welcomed our son into the world!

Jude Oldham Spencer

April 7th, 2014, 8:40 PM

8.5 pounds, 22.5 inches long