Leap Day

Just wanted to say "Happy Birthday" to my late cousin Mark, who was born on Leap Day. Hard to believe it's been over four years since he passed away. Sometimes when I look at Tai I think about when Kyle was that age and how much joy he brought to his father. Mark enjoyed teaching Kyle little tricks that made us all laugh, like how to shake his head like a bobblehead doll. Now we're starting to teach Tai little tricks too. . . .

Tai says Thank you!

There are any number of reasons Tai could be saying "Thank you!" But in this case, it's to say thanks to his mother's Oral Exam committee which will be hearing her present her project as part of her PhD next Tuesday. (This photo is the last slide of her presentation.)

As many of you know, Thu is getting her PhD in Epidemiology at Cal. Her focus is on occupational health. More well-known cases in this area have included asbestos and mesothelioma or lung cancer in workers. However, Thu is focusing her research on nail salon workers and other cosmetologists and the chemicals they use in their workplace.

Many of the nail care products as well as cosmetics contain potential cancer-causing compounds. The main reason why Thu has been interested in these workers is because many of her own family have worked in this industry, including her mom who died of cancer. By focusing on this workforce, Thu is able to deepen her understanding of cancer as well as address health disparities among Vietnamese immigrant workers.

Valentine's Day

Mmmm . . . fried chicken

One of our first dates was at Merritt Bakery and for our first Valentine's Day together, I made Thu fried chicken. From then on, we've gone to this fine Oakland landmark, its walls decked out in red fold-out hearts, to have fried chicken on Valentine's Day.

On our second Valentine's Day we were already engaged. By the third we were married and Thu was pregnant. This time around, we've got a squirmy third party who yells for pieces of biscuit and sips of cold water.

Earlier in the day, Tai delivered lilies to his daycare providers for Valentine's Day, being the sweet little boy that he is. But that doesn't excuse his "bad boy" behavior at day care this week. Someone's been screaming when put down for a nap or an adult walks away. They say Tai is "developing his own personality," and right now that personality is someone who knows what he wants and will fight with all his lungs to get it.

Sunny weekend

A belated Happy Lunar New Year and Chúc Mừng Năm Mới to all. It was a sunny weekend here in the Bay Area, or as we like to think of it, just an excuse to dress up Tai is his shades!

Playtime with Mia and Tai

Perhaps this is a video only their parents and a few others would watch and love, but it sure is cute!