Black Belt Excellence

March 7, 2010 - Spring is in the Air

People were pumped this week; sunny and above zero degree temperatures, getting your car wash, driving with windows rolled down, blasting the music. It was only the first week of March but spring was certainly in the air.

After 6 weeks, Jackson is either showing signs of fussiness or has lots of gas, but the crying sure ain't fun. So, as a reminder of how lucky we are to have our two boys, Justice and Jackson, here are some more well wishes from friends.

Congratulations on the new baby boy!!! That is so exciting. Justice must be so excited to have a new brother – and with a J name, too. All the best! - Deanne, John and the family

Going from one to two children can be a big adjustment. But something tells me you will be great at it--just as you are great with your "Taekwon Do" family!! ;o) All the best to you all. Taekwon! -Heather

Congrats Amelia, Phil and Justice!!! I'm so happy for you. I'm expecting baby Jackson to do the moon walk in a few months :) Love you guys, Arash.

Otherwise, this week we enjoyed celebrating Vargha's 39th birthday, reconnecting with friends, and Justice doing some wild partying, way past his bedtime.

We capped off the week with a nice family spring walk in the neighbourhood - very refreshing.

Justice "getting jiggy" with his cousins, Vahid and Naim

To view photos of this week's events, click here

Justice and Jackson in their weekly sofa pose.

February 28, 2010 - Back to Being a Great Week

After a rough week, Justice's birthday week celebrations continued, in a big way on an historic weekend of Olympic proportions.

It culminated with a party at his daycare on the Friday, hybrid Soccer/Taekwon-Do birthday at our academy and a private celebration with Banoi on Saturday and then we celebrated Ayyam-i-Ha and Roya's 1st Birthday on the Sunday. Plus, Amelia did an amazing job with the soccer cupcakes, by invidiually squirting each of the icing grass blades while Justice did all the decorating himself.

Happy Birthday to big boy Justice who' s turned 4!!! yeah!!! Wishing you a wonderful day and a blessed year. Big hugs from Auntie Dominique, Uncle Dave, Gabriel, Zoé-Anh & Jacob xoxo

To view photos of the Soccer/Taekwon-Do birthday party, click here

Daddy maintaining the tradition of "Uncle Phil" push-ups for a new generation.

Justice celebrating his World Cup soccer party @ BBX!

To view photos of the birthday at Banoi's, click here

Oh yes, and Canada triumphed on the world stage at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics winning a record-breaking 14 gold medals (for a total of 26 medals), climaxing with the Men's Hockey Team beating Team USA in overtime by a score of 3-2 with Sidney Crosby scoring the golden goal. Whew, it doesn't get any better than this.

And hey, we got through the winter months of January and February with March Madness on the way.

To use an Olympic analogy, Mommy and Daddy definitely had to pass on the torch to each other back and forth in order to successfully fulfill our parenting duties, household chores, and work responsibilities (Phil took had his turn with that nasty 12-hour stomach virus, while at work).

Hard to believe 4 years have passed
– swift, like the twinkling of an eye. - Amelia N.

To view photos of Ayyam-i-Ha and Roya's 1st birthday, click here

Justice partying like it's 1999!

Good weeks are great!

February 21, 2010 - A Rough Week

Puking, pooping, crying, and tantrums...and that was just the parents!

It was a rough week, with the crazy-busyness of hosting our first major family event since baby Jackson's birth, which was Justice's 4th Birthday party and Jackson's 1-month anniversary at our home, and then followed by Justice and then Amelia contracting some sort of stomach virus afterwards, but as a family, we got through it. Thank God!

Even on the day of his birthday party, Justice wasn't 100%, and had a bit of nap before our guests arrived, only to be woken up by his good buddy Tyler.

Justice I hope you have a great day today turning 4.
I am ready to have fun with you "my friend".
Happy Birthday from Me (Tyler), Mattea, and mommy & Daddy too!

All in all, Justice finally got to celebrate his 4th Birthday surrounded by loved ones, a moment he had been planning since last year. Also, everyone got the chance to meet baby Jackson on his 1-month anniversary. A double-milestone indeed.

Happy Birthday, son, we are so proud of you!

To view photos of this week's events, click here

The Nguyen family growing by leaps and bounds in the past 4 years!

February 15, 2010 - Jam-Packed February Fun Weekend

It was a much anticipated and popular weekend for many Canadian families who could enjoy a Family Day holiday to celebrate a number of February Fun events.

For our family, we:

commemorated Grand-Papa's 2-year anniversary of when he passed away on February 10, 2006
witnessed on TV the Grand Opening of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as well as winning our first ever gold medal on Canadian soil (Go Canada!)
expressed our love for each other on St-Valentine's Day, the first one for baby Jackson
celebrated Chinese/Vietnamese New Year of the Tiger
kicking back and relaxing on Family Day, staying at home and watching movies
appreciated a fun visit from our great neighbours (thanks Paul, Lynn, Tyler, and Mattea!)

So far, Jackson is following a decent routine of Eat, Activity, Sleep, while Justice has stepped it up a notch with his very good behaviour of morning and evening routines, which makes it a pleasure to be the parents of these two wonderful boys. Thank you Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty for this much appreciated provincial holiday that allowed us this quality family time!

Justice and Jackson going head to head

Our warmest congratulations on your second bundle of joy. When I saw your announcement it brought tears to my eyes as your mom was in front of my eyes and I know how much she would have rejoiced at this wonderful news and loved her little grandson, but we know that she is there with you and your children every step of the way. Miss her sooooo much. Hope your children will make you proud of them and be a constant source of joy and happiness. Much love and big hugs to you all, Pari

Congratulations! It'll be hard the first few months and then it'll get harder... =) It's wonderful to have another kid as you'll see. Wishing you and the baby all the best.
Warmest regards, Joubin/Roxanna/Ariana/Artin

Justice and our Sens Snowman looking forward to a
successful Senators playoff drive after the Olympics

Congratulations to Justice, Mommy & Daddy on Jackson's arrival!!!
Sleep deprivation isn't so bad....good thinking timing the delivery with the Winter Olympics just about to start. Lots of opportunity for late night/early morning TV watching reruns of the days sporting events. ;)
Steve, Lisa, Mikayla, Halyna & Zoriana

Congratulations to the new and improved 'Quadraphonic' Nguyens!!! (I'm showing my age). Jackson is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! Now - get some rest, because you know what's coming. Love to you all, Mary

To view photos of this week's events, click here

An exclusive photo of Justice watching the Olympic torch go by in Kanata back in December

February 7, 2010 - Life as a Family of Four

It occurred to me that while I have been blogging my thoughts on fatherhood with the arrival of baby Jackson, who will be turning 3 weeks on Wednesday, that I should actually be blogging my thoughts on enjoying life as a family of four.

So although I will continue to update you you Jackson's growth and milestones, I will now be sharing family highlights as well.

Congratulations Phil, Amelia and Justice!!! Wonderful news - Jackson is ball of cuteness!! Looking forward to meeting him. Much love, Naysan and Hoda (and Nura)

Congratulations!! Jackson is a great name. Can't wait to meet the little guy.
- The McFarlands

Hey Jackson, nice faux-hawk!

Welcome Jackson! I am so glad that he is here safe and sound. - Jody Mc.C

You must be so excited! We wish you all the best with your new baby boy Jackson! Jackson - welcome to the world. We can't wait to meet you. We can see how sweet you are already from the photo your parents sent us. Sending much love to all 4 of you, Sarah & Shameem xoxoxoxo

Wow guys! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for your family. - Vafa

This week, we enjoyed:

some more paternity leave which allowed us to have more family quality time (every minute counts, as it's hard to say goodbye when going back to work)
the Sens streak making it to 11 straight wins
registering Justice for la maternelle at a local French school (OMG!) for September
reinforcing a French environment for Justice (signed up for TFO and continuing to read and speak French to him)
having all 5 cousins meet Ba-Noi all together at the same time, as well as introducing Jackson to Tante Cecile and Oncle Jean from Montreal (it was total chaos and madness trying to get Justice to wear his Vietnamese tunice for a family photo)
play date with Justice's cousins, Vahid, Naim, Kalid (thanks May and Nabil!)
Winterlude fun for Justice and Jackson along with their Tante Dominique and cousin Gabriel on a cool and sunny winter day (we found a secret parking spot - sweet!)

"In the cold of winter, some people freeze to death while others go skiing."

I remember reading this quote once and I surmise that it's all about making the most of the winter. So since I don't want my sons to be "winter wusses", or uncomfortable with the cold, we bundled up with our long johns and winter pants and ventured out to Jacques Cartier park to see the Justice and Gabriel enjoy slipping and sliding on the snow and ice, climbing trees, skidoos, and ATV's, followed by the ultimate reward of hot chocolate and Beaver tails.

At the end of the Sunday afternoon, everybody was ready for a hot bath and sleep.

Ahh yes, all is well in babyville and the world's coldest capital.

To view photos of this week's events, click here

A beautiful sight - two brothers at the end of a winter fun weekend.

January 31, 2010 - Jackson Turns 2 Weeks this Week

All right, so more than ever, time is at a premium now, but since I did a 52-week log for Justice back in 2006, I will also do my "Daddy Diaries" for baby Jackson.

Local event highlights include erratic weather (from record-breaking rainfall to freezing rain and blowing winds with windchills of -35 degreee celsius), the Ottawa Senators winning a franchise record-breaking 9 wins, and Hockey Day in Canada (Daddy built a Sens Snowman on our front lawn).

We are delighted to hear of the safe arrival of baby Jackson in this world.
- With much love, S Family

Jackson highlights include his #1 activity, which is sleeping, and so far, so good, as he sleeps well and very seldom cries. When he does cry, there's only four reasons; he's hungry, he's pooped in his diapers, he needs to be burped, or he wants to be coddled. Otherwise, he's been very good and he sleeps for 20-22 hours per day, with the occasional hiccups, burps, and farts here and there, which is really a cute thing at this point (apparently it's not that cute for a 40-something like myself to do so, according to Amelia).

Ah yes, the memories of young children (sleeplessness, befuddlement etc.) is only eclipsed by both the miracle/preciousness of life and their growing accomplishments as they grow and mature. - D Family

Jackson also enjoyed sleeping through his visit to Ba-Noi, visits from his cousins and aunts and uncles and friends, a visit to Rideau Hall (Governor General's skating rink), a visit to our BBX academy, and meeting our pet Pomeranian Ginger. He also did awesome in our first Family Photo Shoot (photos to come).

May God bless Baby Jackson and provide for a beautiful life filled with love, joy, health and prosperity. Somehow, the world seems to be a better place. Much love, - L family

Justice is very gentle towards his brother and does his best to soothe him whenever he needs it, by "petting him" on the head, kissing him, or playing a musical box for him.

All the boys in the household are healthy and Mommy is recovering well.

Thank you so much to all of our friends and family for your well wishes!

It is really a great idea to press the reset button. And please, let us all know in case you find the 'turn off' switch. Once again, congratulations to the Nguyen family for the most joyful event in life. Enjoy this moment, it is unique. - P family

To view photos of Jackson's Week 1-2, click here

Gotta love Jackson's beautiful puckered lips!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - This is It: Welcome to the World Baby Jackson!

The guessing is over, it's a boy!

Jackson Nguyen was born January 20, 2010 @ 7:18 pm. Thank you God for this gift and for allowing us to have another healthy child and safe and natural delivery, this time around. We thank all our family & friends for your love, support, and prayers.

Time for us to 'press the re-set button’ (i.e. memory loss, sleep deprivation, poopy diapers, total chaos, memory loss, etc.), and start our lives anew as a family of four. We look forward to this next chapter in our lives. Justice looks forward to being a great big brother, Daddy looks forward to a lifetime of "father and sons moments and memories", and Mommy looks forward to remaining the only girl in the house and maintaining her, "Queen of the Castle" title.

More information on Baby Jackson:

Favourite colours: Silver and Black
Favourite Song: Beat It, by Michael Jackson
Facebook Status: I'm here! Yea!

With deep gratitude and love,

Phil & Amelia & Justice & Jackson
(a.k.a. The Nguyen Family)

To view photos of Jackson's first 48 hours, click here