When brushing Dan’s teeth this morning, I held his face next to mine and looked at the mirror. Holy crap, the kid looks so much like me from his spiky hair to his big head to his cute smile. Yet the biggest common we shared is food. Unlike Dao who hardly has an appetite for food and is obsessed with cars and trains, Dan is all about food. Whenever he sees me eating something, he would crawl to me, pull himself up and try to snatch whatever on my hand. He seems to have quite a bit of food allergies so we have to be careful what we give him.

At 11-month, he already has 12 teeth. Because of his big appetite, he seems to be happy most of the time. All I have to do is giving him food whenever he gets fussy. At night, when he gets up and cries I just hand him a bottle of milk and he feeds himself back to sleep. The major problem with his good appetite is that he would eat anything he could get his hands on. This morning he even tried to eat styrofoam while I was trying to iron my clothes. We can’t leave him alone for 15 seconds without him putting something in his mouth.

Dao never had that problem when he was at that age. We could let him play with beads and not afraid that he’ll put them in his mouth. Dan is the total opposite. From car toys to pennies to pieces from his play mat, everything gets on his hand would ends up in his mouth as well. On the good side, feeding him is an ease. He would finish a bowl of cereal or baby food in less than five minutes. He would scream if we don’t feed him fast enough. I used to get bored feeding Dao because he took forever to eat. He would do anything to distract us from feeding him.

I have to say having two kids is quite a joyful experience. Each gives me a different appreciation. Before Dan comes into our life, one of my worries is that we won’t be able to spend time with Dao, but that has not been the case. We still do many things together like we used to and Dan seems to enjoy the experience as well.

After picking Dao up from school last Thursday, I informed him that we go to George Mason to purchase some tickets for “Disney on Ice” show and he could go with his mom and grandma on Saturday. His response was, “You, betcha.” I asked him, “Who taught you that phrase?” He said, “Mickey Mouse.”

We pulled into a parking space next to a car that played some 80’s music and Dao told me, “Daddy, that music is old.” When we got to the box office, the doors were opened for the show. I warned him, “We’re just going to get the tickets ok and then we go home.” He pulled my arm and said, “But daddy, I am too excited. I can’t go home. Can we go in?”

It turned out that Mason only gave 4 tickets for employee discount. I needed 7. So I called my wife to inform her that and told her to just come by when we she gets home and we just watch the show for the three of us and then get the 4 tickets at another time. Dao’s excitement didn’t last too long. He just wanted to see Mickey Mouse. He didn’t care much about Disney stories. He got bored and we left at the second half of the show.

Another funny poop-related incident over the weekend. Dao was playing at the table train at home and suddenly he pulled down his pants and pooped in the potty. I cleaned him and told him to put on his pants again, but he didn’t do so. He played at the train table again without his pants. A few minites later, he said, “Mommy, mommy, something is coming out.” We were like, “What come out. You just pooped.” Then he ran over to the potty and did another number two.

While having dinner at Bac Tram’s house yesterday, both Dao and Dan fell asleep. They played the whole day; therefore, both got really tired. As we were driving back home, Dana told met to take care of both kids when we get home. I was like, “What do you mean? What are you going to do?” She said, “I have to go. Something is coming out.” I was laughing my ass off. Now that line becomes our inside joke.

Dao: Daddy, you hurt my feeling.
Dad: Huh? How? Why?
Dao: Because you’re not listening.
Dad: I am not listening to who?
Dao: To me.

We stopped by Jerry’s sub because I was hungry and “Gangnam Style” played on the radio. Dao busted his moves and sang along: “Oppa is Gangnam style.” It was just hilarious.

We went to mexican grill yesterday. Dao took his first bite of the nachos and said quite loud, “It’s terrible.” Both my wife and I were shocked. We glad that the place was not too crowed and the employees didn’t hear us. Then later on he liked the corns and wanted more. I took him to the register and he spoke to the lady, “More corns, please.”

Yesterday he came and sat next to me. Then he asked him mom, “Mommy, do you want to sit next to me?” His mom said yes and he told me, “Daddy, you need to get out.” Though the was inappropriate, the way he said it kind of hilarious. That’s my troublesome Dao.

He always loves visiting his cousins Eric and Sammy. He and Eric could run around the house playing hide and seek all day. Sammy has been playing and teaching him stuff on the iPad, which he really likes.

As for Dan, his appetite has been increasing. He drinks more milk and eats much more. Feeding him is a joy because he could finish a bowl of whatever in five minutes. If I don’t feed him fast enough he would be fuzzy. He continues to use the word “đi” (go) and always wants to go somewhere. he could not sit still for even one second. He still likes to lick things, but he could tell when we disapproved his action. When he’s about to but a toy car into his mouth, I said, “hey hey hey…” and he stopped. If he’s crawling and I come after him, he would crawl quicker or climb up the steps much quicker. I call him “Dan Lật Đật”.

I can’t believe my baby Dan is turning one next month. It seems like yesterday that we welcomed him into our world. He has been quite a special addition to our little family. He’s playful and cheerful most of the time even when he wasn’t feeling well.

Dan has been exploring the world quite a bit. Not only with his eyes and hands, but also his mouth. Although he could play all by himself if he has toys, we have to keep an eye on him constantly. Anything he could get him hand on, it would also go into his mouth.

He has not been able to stand yet, but he already wanted to walk. The result is bruising cheek and eye brown. Still he has not learned. He keeps on letting go of his hands whenever he’s standing up.

Dan loves food. Today a fed him a bowl of chicken porridge and he ate everything. He would eat pretty much anything we give him. Unfortunately he seems to have pretty bad case of allergy; therefore, we also have to monitor his diet. He also threw up every formula his pediatrician gave him to try. Mother’s milk is the only thing that he could drink.

One of my favorite things about Dan is his positive attitude. He smiles often and interacts with anyone who responses to him. I could play with him all day and he would smile all day. Unfortunately I can’t keep up with his energy. He could never sit still for even just one second. He could crawl everywhere to find things to put in his mouth.

Unlike Dao, Dan has not developed any obsession for anything. He plays with everything for a bit and then moves on. If I remember correctly, Dao developed his obsessions with Curious George, cars and trains very early on. One of the funny things about Dan is that he dances to everything. Even when an “ABC” song comes on, he would move his feet.

Dan is also fearless. Dao still wouldn’t ride the little horsey Bac Tram gave him for his second birthday. Dan already sits on the horse without supervision. Another thing I love about Dan is his consistency. He goes to sleep on quite regular hours. He doesn’t scream when he wakes up and we’re not around. Even til this day, Dao would find his toy and then scream if we’re not sleeping with him.

There are so much things about my baby Dan. Life has been quite hectic for me these days; therefore, I haven’t have much chance to record on his progressions. School takes quite a bit of time away from this part of my life. I am still debating wether this is worth the commitment. School I can always go back as long as I work for a University. The time with my kids can’t turn back. I am really trying hard to balance work, life and school. Will see how this semester goes and then I’ll make a decision. Nevertheless, I am very proud of my baby Dan. He’s my heart and soul.

Hôm nay mưa da diết cả ngày. Thời tiếc thì trở lạnh nên rút trong nhà với hai đứa nhỏ. Ăn, chơi rồi ngủ và giặt hết một đống đồ. Cu Đạo bây giờ tự chơi một mình. Cu Đán cũng thế nhưng cậu Đán bóc được cái gì lạ là bỏ vào miệng thử nên không thể nào không để ý đến cậu. Và cũng khác với lại Cu Đạo, Cu Đán đưa cái gì cũng hả miệng ra ăn. Thấy ai ăn gì nó cũng muốn ăn. Nhờ hảo ăn nên tướng của ổng tròn trịa. Khổ cái là nó bị dị ứng tùm lum nên phải rất cẩn thận khi cho nó ăn. Còn cậu Đạo nhà ta thì nói no rồi khỏ cần ăn. Một ngày ổng nói không biết là bao nhiêu. Trừ khi cho no xem TV hay iPod thì nó mới không nói.

Dạo này ít có cơ hội xem TV hay NetFlix. Ngày mai và ngày mốt khỏi phải đi học nên tối nay khỏi làm homework. Hai thằng nhóc thì đi ngủ cả rồi. Còn lại một vài tiếng xem Diana Krall: Live in Rio cũng hay lắm. Đã lâu không có nghe Jazz.

The past month has been so crazy, that I haven’t noticed the changes with Dao. Last night I realized that he hasn’t hit or scratched people anymore. Even his teachers aren’t reporting about them. Whenever I asked them how was his day and the most responses were positive.

Maybe Dao is getting past that state or he is now able to communicate much better than before. He still expresses his anger by throwing tantrums or toys, which is still not acceptable but better. Nevertheless I am still very happy that he uses his words more than his hands.

The improvement I suspect is from one of his new teachers. She holds a degree in psychology and she has been working quite patiently with him. I still recall the first few weeks of school, his teacher asked me to cut his fingernails because he scratched her. He would take it out on her whenever his friends didn’t do what he wanted. He even called her “You’re the baby,” but she was able to turned it around by playing with him.

Most of the time I would ignore him, but one time I got annoyed. I told him, “Since I am a baby, can you take this key and drive me home? I am a baby so I can’t drive.” He responded, “I can’t drive. You can.” I went on, “But you said I am a baby.” Then he said, “No, you’re not a baby. Please drive us home.”

At this age, he’s starting to reason so I am very glad about it. I can say things to him and expect that he understands. Maybe he understood before too, but he just played dumb. I am very glad to see the turn around.

Dao: Daddy, can we go to Bac Tram’s house?
Dad: No honey, I have class today.
Dao: No you don’t have class. It’s getting dark.
Dad: Yes, but I still have to go.
Then Dao saw pumpkin sale for Halloween.
Dao: Daddy, can we buy some pumpkins?
Dad: No honey, I am broke.
Dao: No, you’re not broke. You are fixed?
Dad: I am fixed?
Dao: Yes, I fixed you.
Dad: You fixed me?
Dao: Yes, I fixed you with a hammer.
Dad: You are so funny.
Dao: I am not funny. I am sad.
Dad: Why are you sad?
Dao: Because I am not happy.
Dad: Why are you not happy?
Dao: Because I want to go to Bac Tram’s house.
Dad: Ok, we’re going to Bac Tram’s house.
Dao: Now I am happy!
I just got punked by my own kid.

Brené Brown:

Together we will cry and face fear and grief. I will want to take away your pain, but instead I will sit with you and teach you how to feel it.

Read more Parenting Manifesto.

Mấy ngày nay Cu Đán đã cười tươi lại và phá lại. Khi bịnh thì cứ đòi ẩm cũng mệt. Khi lành thì cứ bò tứ tung rồi cái gì cũng bỏ vào miệng nên canh chừng cũng mệt. Dù sao đi nữa thấy nó khoẻ lại là mừng lắm rồi. Cái thằng Đán này thì khác với anh nó không sợ té gì cả. Leo thang, đứng lên buông tay, chuối đầu xuống giường mà không thèm để ý đến gì hết. Dạo này nó cũng nói khá nhiều. Chữ đầu tiên là “ba”. Hôm nay chơi luôn chữ “ba đi.” Hôm qua đưa nó tấm hình của Obama và Romney cho nó chỉ. Cả ba lần nó điều chỉ vào Romney. Cái flyer đó là do của Republican phát ra. Dỉ nhiên là hình Romney cười tươi còn hình Obama thì trông thận hung dử. Cả Cu Đạo cũng chọn Romney luôn. Điều này chứng minh design quan trọng cở nào.

Còn Cu Đạo thì thôi miệng lưỡi của nó dẻo nhẹo. Có cái gì “special” cho nó thì nó “dạ” tới bến luôn còn nói là “You’re my bestfriend.” Không có thì “I don’t like you” một cái một. Trở mặt còn hơn trở bánh tráng nửa. Nó mà hỏi mình chuyện gì thì mình phải trả lời đến nơi đến chốn. Bằng không thì có cứ hỏi tiếp đến chừng nào mình trả lời nó dừa ý mới thôi. Ngược lại mình hỏi chuyện nó mà nó không muốn nghe hay không muốn trả lời thì nó giả vờ như thằng câm vậy. Đợi mình hét nó mới chịu trả lời.

Hôm nay cộng đồng tổ chức Trung Thu. Đem hai thằng đi chơi vài tiếng cũng vui. Cuối tuần phải tranh thủ dành thời giang để đi chơi với tụi nó. Ráng thêm chừng một năm là hai anh em nó có thể chơi với nhau. Bây giờ thằng Đán đã bắc đầu theo anh nó rồi. Thấy anh nó có gì nó cũng nhào tới giựt. Thằng anh cũng không nhường nên giựt lại. Thế là mình phải can thiệp.