Swimming gala

Papa, Duncan and I took part in the JC Water Challenge today. But before it, Grandma and the Gugus and all of us had lunch together to celebrate Papa's birthday.

I was disqualified for a false start during my freestyle race. They didn't stop the race and I kept on swimming until I got the the finish line, thinking I had won my heat. I was upset that I didn't get a medal, but both Duncan and Papa got medals in their races. I don't ever want to do swimming competitions again. :-( Sai Gugu promised to write to the JC to complain about them not stopping and restarting the race.

Swimming gala

Today was the Jockey Club swimming gala in Shatin. Coach Lok advised Papa to enter me for 3 events in my age group.

We got there early for lunch, but I was so tired that I fell asleep on the way there. Papa let me doze in the car. I was still tired when Papa woke me, and told him I didn't feel like swimming.

I felt much better after getting changed; I took first prize in the 25m breast stroke event, and third prize in the 25m kick event. I took second place in the 25m freestyle. Papa said I would have won the gold medal if I had not stopped because my goggles were leaking water. Overall, I was the Champion for the age-group, and I got a cup in addition to my three medals.

Papa is speaking more to me in Mandarin. Also my ability to express myself in both English and Cantonese is also improving, and my verbal comprehension is progressing well in all 3 languages. I have no difficulty in pronouncing new words taught to me every day. I already know all my fruits, for example, mango, papaya, pomelo, strawberries, avocado, pomme, and joining these with words like 'more', 'another', 'get', 'only', 'help', 'milk', 'cheese', I can give precise instructions at tea and meal times. Grandma introduced me to clear beef and vegetable broth - it was an instant hit!

Yesterday was Grandma's birthday. I gave her a card and a present, and wished her "Happy Birthday" out loud. I wished her "Happy Birthday" again and again throughout the day. Grandma was chuffed to bits.

Swimming outdoors

Papa took me swimming today. There was a little girl at the Jockey Club with her grandparents, and she was keen to play with me, but I was too shy. Papa thought it was warm enough to swim in the outdoor pool. Although eager to get there, I took my time to get into the water. When I did, I clung onto to Papa, so he swam around with a koala bear around his neck. I was just beginning to enjoy myself when Papa decided it was time to get out: Gugu had organised a playdate with twins Mason and Austin.

School's out

School's out for Easter, so I've been wearing Grandma and the Gugus out at home. If I'm good, which I usually am ;-), my social calendar is rather full. I am also invited when Grandma meets her friends for lunch (and I get spoilt with presents), I go swimming with Papa every week, I get taken to the playground, I often go for rides in the car with Grandpa. Recently, I have enjoyed two play-dates chez Max, organised by Big [Gugu], so I am putting my taught manners to good use. I am learning to share, and to give presents.

Although I am still a little Charles de Gaulle sometimes, I can also say "yes" enthusiastically - usually when it comes to food:-). I have been bought a potty, but usually 'do a Charlie' to it. Still, I have a few more months before I move up to a class for bigger kids. I now routinely string two or more words together; I can pick out any one of 5 different types of balls. I hum made-up tunes to myself. I like to chime in to "She Loves You", "April Showers" or "End of the World".

I was sooo pleased when [little] Gugu put my name up on my bedroom door this week. She bought all the wooden letters separately from a shop in London. Although I cannot read yet, it will help me recognise my name when I learn to spell. Papa joked that he could spell "Dorothée" with the same letters.

Country excursion

Today, we went for a very long ride to the countryside where I've not been before. We had lunch and then Papa took me to the pool there, and I swum around a bit [movie]. I had so much fun when Papa took me down a water slide [movie] that I wouldn't let him stop :-O I had so much fun on the water slide today that I made Papa promise to take me back next week for some more.

I'm didn't have my afternoon nap. So, although it's Hallowe'en, I'm too tired to go trick-or-treating tonight. I'm off to bed early......

Father's Day

Today is Father's day in America; we went out for lunch today like most Sundays. The restaurant we went to was busy and noisier than usual. I was dressed up nice, and I put on a new pair of trainers with flashing lights which grandpa bought me. What a lovely surprise to find that Lulu and her whole family were also invited. We ate some char siu baos and had lots of fun together, and I also made friends with some people on the table next to ours.

Papa started going to work, so I did not see him at all during the day except today and Monday. As I am usually the first one up in the house, my job starting this week is to sound "the reveille", to make sure Papa isn't late for work. I call out to him. I would take him a cup of coffee if grandma thought I could hold it that far without spilling it. Papa took me swimming on Monday, and it's been Grandpa's turn to take me swimming otherwise. Grandpa reports that I'm still making good progress.

I finally overcame my fear of a brightly coloured beach ball which Gugu bought me: It's been sitting in the store room for 2 months but I was afraid to tackle it, yet I've been to take a peek at it every now and then. One day, I finally plucked up enough courage to pick it up. Now I often grab it with one hand, and throw it around the house. I've seen gugu use her big green ball for pilates, so I also use my beach ball just like her. I was also afraid of balloons, so Papa put one on each chair so that I would stop climbing them. It did work to start with, but it wore off over the next few days. I was soon back climbing the chairs again, much to Papa's chagrin.

I'm now 81cm tall, and I weigh about 26 pounds (11.8kg). It turns out once again that my sleep patterns have swung back the other way. My morning and afternoon naps have been quite long this week, so luckily Grandma has some breathing space during the daytime.

I still like to spit out my food sometimes, but I am now allowed to drink water from a cup on my own. Papa is pleased that I am finally starting to drink more than I spill. I learned a good trick from 'Wobble Bear Says Yellow'. His word is "yellow" but, mine is the Chinese word for "lamp". I like its sound, so I say it often. For me, it means anything which is attached to the ceiling.

Summer's here

Papa took me swimming three times this week. I was a lot more relaxed about letting go of Papa's arm than last week. So I didn't disappoint him: he said that I swam once again like Mark Spitz.

Papa now has a job, so it looks like I'll be staying in Hong Kong a while longer. I just hope that Mommy can come here soon too, because I miss her lots. Mommy and I have chatted several times already. She watched me walking around, having my dinner, showing off some of my new tricks. I showed her how I can dislodge a bunny rabbit stuck on the underside of Gugu's desk by prising off the suckers which attached it to the glass.

I'm now enrolled for baby gym once a week at the Y, starting next month. Papa sent me some sunglasses through Little Gugu a while ago, which I kept taking off. The grown-ups thought I didn't like wearing them. In fact, it just hasn't been sunny enough up till now :-0. Now it's thirty degrees outside, and sunny almost every day. I put them on when I need to stay cool.

Gugu often brings me back clothes and other things I like. She bought me some house-clothes, and she also found me a few more episodes of Pingu, currently my favourite programme. I've watched all the episodes on the 2 discs I have already several times, a couple of episodes every morning after breakfast. I identify myself with him and I chuckle at the mischief he makes.

This week, I'm sleeping less in the daytime than before. For three days, instead of sleeping, I just sit in my bed, play on my own and sing to myself when I get put in bed for a nap. I'm not more tired at night. I still go to bed and I wake up at around the same time. Gugu thinks maybe I'm just in need of less sleep than before because I'm growing up. Ha! Grandma will be pleased - her games of golf have just gotten longer ;-)

Easter Monday

Little Gugu arrived from London Friday afternoon, and we have been inseparable :-) She plays with me all the time and shows me how to scoot around the floor properly ;-) ...the floor is so much more fun, and tasty too. I'm quite nifty on my feet now but I still prefer to scoot around on all fours. Apart from being extra speedy, everyone loves it when I go army combat style on my tummy & elbows, and are so proud of me when I reverse out of the way. They think I'm a little dog cos I like to rush to the door when I hear someone arrive, then reverse, rear up and bounce on my knees to say hello. (I have to bleat a lot to remind them I'm a little ram!)

Gugu has taken me out a few times already. For instance, we went to the Jockey club, we also went to visit Gugu's friend Auntie Elsie and her family. I was on my best behaviour and Uncle Lam was so impressed he spent the whole time entertaining me and showing me their beautiful home in Hong Lok Yuen. They have two children - Ollie, who had his 9th birthday yesterday, and his sister Jade, who turned 7 at the beginning of April - three little doggies that didn't stop barking, a pond full of fishies, a smaller pond with turtles and a lovely lap pool. Maybe Uncle Lam will let me use the pool if I promise to be very good and to wear the grown-up swimming pants Papa bought me?

I'm now sleeping eleven hours straight every night without waking; I also sleep one and a half hours in the morning and maybe another one and a half hours after lunch. Little Gugu says it's a sure sign I'm a Cheung. I tell Little Gugu that I need to sleep lots so I can grown big and strong like Papa.......

Papa's birthday

I woke up early as usual, and was extra excited today because it is Papa's birthday. I made a card specially for him. But because I did not know how to sign my name, I drew a picture of my hand inside the card. Papa was very pleased, he smiled and gave me a big, big hug. We all went out for lunch, and I played many new games this afternoon. In addition to my usual hiding place, I now have two others. I was so thrilled that Gugu also made me a tent by putting a blanket over my baby-gym.

Gugu also cooked me something special for my meals this week. I enjoyed eating her spicy chicken barley stew, but grandma thinks it's too lumpy for me right now. I now get to hold some of my own food, like rice cakes and pieces of apple, and I enjoy this independence although much ends up on the floor.

I have also a routine in my workout: this is where I stand with my hands on a stool. It slides as I push while walking forward. It is a lot easier to walk with than Gugu's big green ball.

Papa and Grandma took me to the hairdresser's on Friday. This was my third haircut, and I was surrounded by several pretty ladies giving me attention. Not at all like the last time, which was a hairy experience ;-0, through which I cried all the way. This time the man was much nicer, but I was still a little bit afraid when he started to cut my hair. Papa got his haircut first, then sat me on his lap for mine, but I wouldn't sit still when I saw his scissors. In the end, I buried my face in Papa's chest as he was cutting.

I also went swimming once this week. Papa says I swam better than the last time, but still not as good as before. Gugu says that I am growing very curious, and thinks that I've been distracted by the people around me.

Grandma arrives in Oahu, Hawaii

Papa and I have been here for a week already. Grandma arrived on Tuesday.

The water is cool and the wind is blowing on the pool; the mango tree is no help either because it is so big blocking the sun to the pool making the water cooler still. I do wish the tree was not there. Second thoughts, I take that back: the mango I had for breakfast this morning was from that tree, and it was yum.

I am swimming regularly, and am now learning to breathe in the water. I also test the water with my mouth, by taking it in and then spitting it out again. I can now kick my legs and breathe at the same time. Click here to see my second video. Yesterday Grandpa took me out of the pool thinking that I had had enough, but I wasn't sure if I had. The best part was yet to come.

Grand Dad then took me to his shower, Oh boy, this is better than the pool! :-). The warm water come down on me like rain, and I loved it. I was so happy, giggling in the shower like Singing in the Rain.

I learnt a few other things in the last few days: I managed to turn face down in bed and fell asleep that way. It was nothing really. I don't exactly like to sleep face down, but I could not reverse back to my back side. I was trying to do lots of push-ups, and ended up too tired and fell to sleep. You know, I have had a few close calls lately, I pushed myself off the matress, and got myself stuck half on half off. So, Grandma added two deck-chair cushions to surround my mattress. Bad luck to the sun bathers! I don't see that will be any good - soon I will be pushing myself out, cushion or no cushion ;-)

Today, Papa and Grand Dad took me to the shopping mall, and I was able to sit upright in a shopping trolley. It was fun to be looking down at everything from up there.

In the afternoon, I was so excited by a new discovery which I have been wearing myself out with: following my afternoon tea, I was put to bed. Instead of sleeping, I found out I could turn around and around in bed - first face down, then face up, then face down...... I worked out for three hours this evening, coz it's just too much fun. After giving me my evening porridge, Grandma put me to bed again. I finally fell asleep crunched up in one corner on my side.

Oahu, Hawaii

Grandpa's spending some time in Hawaii!

Papa and I took a United Airlines flight from San Francisco, to see Grandpa. Papa once again won a draw,but he looked very annoyed at the staff, who made him open up all our bags and take off his shoes.

When I arrived at the airport in Hawaii, Grandpa gave me a colourful garland called a "lei". He explained it was the local custom, and insisted that I had my picture taken wearing it. I just think it tastes and smells loverly ;-) Grandpa has a great swimming pool..... so I can swim every day. Click here to see my video.

Grandma is coming all the way from Hong Kong to see me :-)) I speak to Mummy every day on the telephone, and she sounds very sad. Papa says we will soon have ichat, so we can also see each other on the computer.

Leaving London

It's been a very hectic weekend, Papa came over to take me back to Paris. Going out is more routine these days, as Grandma and Auntie have now got so well organised with my buggy and my car seat. Grandma and Papa took me swimming on Friday, and I swam 6 whole lengths of the pool! Papa said he was pleased with my progress. He said that I may not be as famous as Mark Spitz one day, but will certainly be just as good!

On Saturday, it was Auntie's turn to go swimming with me. I had fun and was not afraid to show it. I was a bit disappointed because it was crowded, and I didn't see any of my little friends to say goodbye to them.

On Sunday, after having lunch of carrots and rice porridge, Auntie and Grandma took Papa and me to the railway station. We travelled first class :-) , and a nice man helped me board the train. As the train ride took a bit longer than usual, Papa let me sit in his lap, where I promptly fell asleep, exhausted from the morning's excitement.

I am going to miss Grandma, who has never let me out of her sight in July. She has looked after me so well - look how I've grown......8.5kg in weight and 68cm in height! Now, Papa will have to make sure that I eat and sleep at set times, but nothing will replace the work-outs I have with Auntie.

Today was hotter than Chicken Vindaloo in Paris, and I am having problems getting comfortable! Daddy and a friend took me for a refreshing swim this afternoon; I slept all the way home.

London, 16 July 2003

Wow! What an exhausting day!

Auntie came over first thing this morning and found me in the middle of my workout... I was lying cross-wise in bed (!!) having worked shoulders, tum and bum so hard that I'd turned 90 degrees. Auntie says she wishes her tummy "crunches" were as effective, she explained that "crunches" were when I raise my head and legs at the same time.

Grandma and Auntie then took me swimming. I was hoping to meet Herbie this week (I met his mum and older brother last week) but they didn't come. Instead we saw two little girls, one 1 year old the other 2, having a private swimming lesson. They were swimming to fetch balls and the older girl disappeared from the surface several times to pick up stuff from the bottom of the pool. Grandma says it take me 15 minutes to relax and really get into the kicking and splashing thing.

I then had my first grown-up hair cut. The pretty lady gave me a certificate! Grandma put me to bed after my afternoon feed but I wasn't tired so I exercised some more. I turned 90 degrees on my back again. I've also been trying to turn onto my side but Auntie won't help me. If I practice some more maybe I'll be able to flip over by the time I see you guys next visit.

Big Auntie, please remember to bring your swimming costume to England so you too can take me swimming. Can't wait to meet you and to share a bathroom with me. Auntie wants to see which of us will make more of a mess :-)

London, 11 July 2003

I've had a very eventful week. Grandma and Auntie have taken me swimming twice already (we went in my new buggy & I remembered to wear my sun hat), we're going again this w/e. Grandma also took me for a short trip to the Post Office where she applied for a new passport (Why doesn't Grandma have a Passport when even I have one?).... And last night, Great Uncle Frank came to visit little ol' me. I was very flattered by the attention and was on my best behaviour, we chatted and I smiled and gurgled a lot. Great Uncle Frank thought I was smashing and Grandma was very proud of me.

Grandma has done so much for me this week, I've been very good but I'm getting heavier. Auntie took me on the scales today, I now weigh 16.5lbs (7.5kg). When Auntie's been at home we've chatted together and played. My current favourite is sliding on my bottom down Auntie's thighs while she's lying down and onto Auntie's tum. It is such fun, it makes me laugh out loud and screech a lot:-))

Auntie has also made me some delicious apple sauce, I'm eating half a bowl a day (!!). Grandma says my tummy is still too delicate to take Chinese rice so we haven't had any more since Monday. Auntie gave me my final feed at 10.45pm and I was tucked up with Fuzzy in my arms when Big Ben bonged at eleven.