THE Photoshoot... with the parents.

THE Walker

Today grandma Mary and I pulled off this awesome trick, check it out:

We're climbing up the stairs, and then out of nowhere, grandma gets this feeling like I just wanna *walk*.

So, when we got to the top of the stairs, she stood me up and away I walked!

It was a raging "look-ma-no-hands" moment, and I pulled it off wonderfully!


Almost instantly I reached celebrity status across the house, and all day long I enthusiastically showed the world why, from this day forth, I shall NO MORE be called a baby. I am Legend. --or, more in keeping with the present theme, I am Toddler!


My motto from now will be "Keep Walking" (eat your heart out, Johnnie Walker)

THE [big ONE] Birthday Party!

I know you have been psyching yourselves up for this, so here it is. The big ONE! We had grand plans for a large party, the invitations had been sent out, decorations ordered, food bought etc. Mum had the clever plan to do a cupcake tier, as she along with the rest of the world has gone cupcake crazy. Uncle Sam dutifully baked 60 cupcakes, and as Saturday dawned bright and early, the Leonidas clan showed up ready to rumble. Interestingly enough, Nana, Rick and Tracie shook up their travel plans just enough to arrive in Taipei for a glorious visit, including guest appearances at the said 'big ONE'!

However, a few hours into the day and things spun out of control. There was screaming and pain, talk of ambulances and splints, and next thing you know I am being brought in to kiss a tearful Mum goodbye, as she is lying on the floor!

Three days later and I still hadn’t seen Mum or Dad, though they called me often, usually making little sense. Auntie Fee was good as always, and we got on great. Two grandma’s as well. When it rains it pours. -- Nana’s apparently!

Mum and Dad got back just in time for a cozy family celebration on my REAL birthday. Famous personalities, like myself, rarely hold our parties on our actual day of birth, so my bash was scheduled for an appropriate three days late.

On the 8th night, me and the parents sang, and were silly, with a dark chocolate muffin, that I carefully pulled to pieces.

--You should see the film footage.That muffin didn't even see me coming!

It was great having the parents home, and things started to look up.

So the 'big ONE', became the 'subdued one', after a week and Mum getting used to being in a wheelchair and more pain. This time Tracie came over the night before and started early with Mum on frosting. Nana came in the morning and whipped the house into shape while Dad drove out for shopping and I hung out with Grandma.

The hours rolled by and my two Libran uncles showed up and lined everything up just right.

And then it happened...

Doorbells, kids, camera’s – MESS! A good solid mess of balloons and people, just what I needed. We frolicked and played to our hearts content. My fellow mini-dudes were all there. After a good dose of balloon fun, we hung out with snacks, and gaped at the grown-ups gaping down at us.

Then the cake! Or cakes – to be exact, one glorious white creation with plump strawberry accents, and my towering tier of cupcakes, duly named and frosted in a riot of color. Oh we were fierce! Leo and I slathered blue cream from navel to nose and clipped our parents in the process. What is birthday cake for? I was quite happy to systematically destruct my cupcake, while leaving Leo to inhale his. I think we make quite a team. Our 15th year? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Presents: “ We get presents and we give presents” although U. Jim never got as many as I did. Thank you to all my adoring fans who sent gifts and greetings. My thoughts are with you. Ha. Better yet, I will frolic for every day of my new year in your memory! A. Priya and Joyce were there – with fighter fish and dreams of scary hair. It was so good to see them, I think I’m starting to forget what they look like.

Winding down, and Dad took up post by the door, to hand out party bags to my small be-sugared friends. It’s been a good one. We owned the night! Don’t forget to take your baby change kits with you and your extra clothing as you toddle to your waiting vehicles, chauffeurs in tow.

There is a flurry of cards and flowers to the Grandma’s and a special call from Seeya tops off the day. Everyone is stoked to talk to him! Earlier on Nugget called, and before that was Sanch! Whoa. My popularity knows no bounds! The guests leave and the house quiets, and I reckon I need some alone time. Its not easy basking in my own glow. It takes a lot out of you! You should try it sometime.

Now, where did I put my remote control?

Me sleeping off the sugar rush, while Mom, Dad, and Grandma clean up. ZZZzzz

THE up-and-coming Picasso

Okay so, Mom and Dad take me out to McDonalds one day, hand me some markers and...

Voila! Suddenly I'm an artistic genius - cool huh?

(Check it out... I'm even holding the marker correctly.)

Dad said I look very focused here.
[What does that even MEAN?]

Take that McDonalds! That's what I think of your so called "nutritional value charts".

Presenting: THE sticker set

Yesterday morning, after a delightful wake up routine (heh), Dad and Mum decided to have some fun at my expense.

Initially I was unsure of this whole black circle on the nose deal,


then I got with the groove, specially seeing how crazy the parents were getting,



until, quite maturely, I decided enough was enough!

THE song: under my umbrella ...ella,ella, eh, eh, eh.....

THE pic for today

Just cuddling under the tree. The simple, yet purest joys ever!

THE time has come

..for all those pics I promised. Heh, this should be good fun.

With Dad on Christmas Eve. Caroling in the top hat was clearly not Alex's idea of a good time!

Being his darling self: the look that wins me over every time; you just have to give in.

With his lovely walker - Christmas pressie from Grandma! TXSM.

Trying to show me a thing or two about decorating!

His favorites: Christmas pressie from Uncle Sam, little Leo and Alina! They rock!

More to come my beauties...one midnight vigil after another. Till then, I love you.

THE Update

Time has just sped by....and now, well, Alex is eight months old. I can't believe it, but I do know that shaking my head in wonder won't help. So this is my spin on maternal therapy: I've got Steph to give me the sign in to this blog, so that I can flood it with some of the hundreds of pictures we've taken of him during his little life. Sara, these are especially for you. We've missed you so much - you have no idea. And of course for his Seeya and Nana. I hope that you all can catch a glimpse of the joy that is this baby boy.