Beta thalassemia minor (take 2)

We finally got around to taking Lydia to the lab to get blood work done to find out if she too has beta thalassemia minor (BTM) and...she does. The pediatrician called Tuesday and told Trung that since our kids have BTM, that means that both Trung and I have the autosomal recessive gene as well. I was a bit confused, because ever since we found out that Sophie had BTM, we automatically assumed that it was Trung that carried the autosomal recessive gene, but now I had it too? If that was true, then we were gosh darn lucky that neither girls got beta thalassemia major, which was a whopping 25% each pregnancy!

So the next day I left the hematologist's office a message questioning the validity of the pediatrician's statements. Well, I didn't have to wait long to find the answer because the pediatrician called back today saying that both parents did not necessarily have to have the gene to pass down BTM to their kids. Whew! I still plan on getting some blood work done though for peace of mind just in case we do decide to have another child or should I accidentally become pregnant.

It's Christmas time in the Ly Home

We busted out the Christmas tree and decorations today and the kids had so much fun messing with the ornaments. I found myself humming Christmas carols as we were decorating and when I was wrapping presents later; it sure is amazing what simply decorating does to one's spirit!

Lydia's first time to help decorate a Christmas tree

Trying out various poses for our Christmas photo card; you should see the winning pose in your mailbox soon. :)

Lydia and Sophie attempting to help, but were not allowed to go up any further

Everyone watching Trung put up the garland

P.S. I've finally caught up with the events from the past couple weeks, so please scroll down to read all about them.

Four guys and their families

Tonight we met up Trung's college buddies and their families for dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. We don't get to see his friends Louis and Juan too often, so I dressed the girls up for the occasion, plus I'm always up for a photo opp.

Sisterly love

My carbon copies

Once RPI boys...

and now men.

Gingerbread train

This year I felt that Lydia was old enough to build a gingerbread house. I bought a gingerbread train, which Lydia preferred to make, so we got all crafty this afternoon. The "glue" was so messy that I ended up piecing the train together and Lydia just put on the decorative candies. The whole process was more frustrating then fun since both kids kept wanting to eat everything, but Lydia was quite proud of "her train" and kept wanting to look at it on the counter. :)

Lydia (and my) masterpiece

What can I say, it was an exact replica of the one shown on the box! :P

Thanksgiving 2009

We headed to Houston Wednesday afternoon for our Thanksgiving break. Mike arrived that same afternoon, so the entire Lee family was able to spend the holiday together this year. We had hot pot for dinner and then Mike, Trung, and I went to watch the movie "2012", which was quite good.

Thanksgiving day we went to Jimmy's house for lunch and then my father's church member's house for dinner.

The ladies taking a mini-joy ride around the neighborhood in Jimmy's new convertible.

See ya!


The Lee Family, plus my cousin Grace


Our little family

Friday morning my cousin Grace and I hit the Galleria and Town & Country Village for some Black Friday sales. We had lunch at my parents' house and then Cora, the kids, and I went to La Centerra to shop some more. We went to sleep early, so that we could head out early to Moody Gardens in Galveston the next morning.

The Aquarium at Moody Gardens


Trapped!



Lydia "ice skating" for the first time


Jocelyn ice-skating for the first time; she was skating by herself very soon after


My big girl!


Jocelyn, Jason, and Cora enjoying the 3D experience


Cousins aboard the ship, The Colonel



Sophie loves to dance and jump around a lot now; it's quite amusing


Festival of Lights!


Ahoy, matey!


The coolest slide, it even had Trung going, "woe"


Even toddlers get "tummy time"

Hip Hip Hooray!

Yay, Thanksgiving vacation is here! I don't have to cook for almost a whole week and I am very excited; the kids can't wait to see their grandparents in Houston this afternoon. We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!


Sophie "hooray-ing" to the theme song of Super Why

Trung's 33rd Birthday

We celebrated Trung's birthday with a pre-Thanksgiving lunch. Along with turkey and ham, I made five sides and two desserts...I was in a cooking frenzy all morning, using three ovens at a time. Afterwards, the guys split up to play Magic or tennis while some of the girls watched the kids play. It's always so much for when the gang, and now their kids, get together. :)

Most of the food

The birthday boy

Children at play

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

In the morning, the girls and I joined Persephone, Kyan, and their friends at Waterloo Ice House for brunch. Lydia and Sophie ate so much; I had to grab a bite of the pancake before they ate it all!
All the kids at play

Sliding Sideways Sophie

In the afternoon, Wendy and I had some girl time and unwind-ed at Halina's where she got a massage and I got a facial. Then we met up again with the rest of our families at the Domain for Happy Hour at Fleming's and the lighting of the Macy's Christmas tree. I can't believe celebrating Christmas has already started and Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet!

Fireworks at the Domain


Sophie was amazed with her first fireworks show


Lydia, not so much...she had nightmares later that night too

Fall Fest

We attended Lydia's annual Thanksgiving lunch at her school where Trung got to meet her teacher and classmates. We arrived a tad bit late and Lydia was teary-eyed when we got there, I'm not sure if it was because she didn't think we were going to come or if she was so happy to see us.

Lydia showing off her indian band

Got milk?

The girls totally enjoying their healthy treats on the way home.

Free rides

The girls and I enjoyed the lovely afternoon hanging out at the outlet. I never know what to put on them nowadays since the weather is always changing throughout the day. The girls wore sweaters in the morning, but it got warm, so I took the opportunity to put them in their summer clothes one last time.

The girls got free rides on the carousel since their were empty seats available.