Meeting Auntie Shaila And Baby Zianna

After a week of talking on the phone and exchanging text messages, we finally got a chance to meet Shaila and baby Z for the first time. Thanks Dana for introducing us to each other! It's great to meet more moms in our area.

After our play date with Shaila and baby Z, we rushed home for our our Artist Group (minus Anne, plus Nat) Knit & Bitch night where Nuala teaches us how to knit. She definitely makes it look so easy... the rest of us don't make knitting look like a relaxing activity. Some of us look quite intense!

We ordered pizza, and since it was a cold night... I had the fire on and made some tea for the ladies.

Sean was a bit surprised to come home and see that all I have is a small rectangular piece... I think he expected that I'd have made a scarf or hat or something like that.

I am so glad that my relationship with my girlfriends sans children had not changed, even though the logistics of getting together may be different than before Maddi came along. Although I wasn't too worried about it, it was definitely something that has crossed my mind. Although I seem to hang out with guys more in my high school and university days, I definitely treasure the women in my life and have learned to appreciate the relationship I have with them, regardless of age, race or where and how I met them.

Rearranging Da-da's Face

Today, we went to the parent/infant drop-in. Didn't really do much else other than that.

In this photo, Maddi is attempting to rearrange Sean's face while she hangs out with da-da after dinner.

Testing Out The Crib

Today, we had a busy day. I had my chiro appointment in the morning, then went to Metrotown after to return some stuff from holiday shopping. Then, we took a drive out to visit Sue, and have a play date with Ethan and Hayley. It was a great bonus that I got fed lunch, as well as some Filipino treats that Roland's parents brought back from their recent trip to the Philippines.

When we got home, it was time for Maddi's nap. Since she's growing so much and I'm not sure how much longer she can sleep in her bassinet, I decided to have her nap in her crib. I've tried to do this before, but she only lasted five minutes. Today, she actually slept in her crib for a full nap! Doesn't she look cozy in her sleep sack? Thanks grandpa and nana - the sleep sack keeps Maddi warm and mama loves the colour and design on it!

Silly Auntie Vianne

Today, Maddi and I just stayed home. Then in the late afternoon, Auntie Vianne came for a visit with Auntie Anne and finally got a chance to meet Maddi! She's so silly, isn't she?!

Anne and I made an appointment with our esthetician extraordinaire Jen for tonight and finally got some much needed grooming and pampering time in!

A Night Out With The Ladies!

While Jason was away on a business trip, we planned for a girls' night out... Maddi included!

This photo was taken at Tropika on Robson, where we had dinner.

I thought that nursing Maddi right after we ordered would be a good idea; then we can hopefully just leave her to play in her car seat and I could enjoy dinner with the ladies when the food comes... not realizing the food would come so soon!

I had just gotten ready to nurse when a waiter came with our first couple of dishes. He was surprised to find me getting ready to nurse and quickly put the food on the table and walked away. The second waiter that came, however, was pervy according to Nat and Amy... not even looking at where he's putting the dishes he brought but totally staring at me!

So, I checked out the bathroom to see if it's clean and would be an ok spot to nurse Maddi. It was, and the staff were helpful enough to give me a chair to nurse Maddi in. They also told me it's ok if I use the only guest bathroom for a while, as they can direct other guests to the staff bathroom.

I must say, that even though not all places in the city are equipped with proper facilities to nurse and change a baby's diaper, most are very accommodating to help give you the privacy a mom needs as well as a make-shift area to change a baby's diaper.

After dinner, we stopped at Blenz for hot chocolates... and they use BELGIAN chocolates in their hot cocoas! Yumm!

Maddi was a bit fussy at dinner, but napped the rest of the night out.

A Play Date With Baby Natascha

This morning, I messaged Crystal to see if she and Baby Natascha would like to come over for lunch. I told her Anne and I made curry last night... or I also have stuff for congee. Crystal got excited over congee, so that's what I served for lunch.

When they arrived, Baby N was sleeping - as usual! I have not seen her awake yet! Halfway through lunch however, she did wake up and I got to see her beautiful greyish blue peepers!

Maddi had a hard time napping today... only sleeping for 20-30 minute stretches. She finally fell asleep again at 4.30pm and finally slept for over an hour!

Sean's mom came for a visit around 6pm and joined us for dinner... then it was bedtime.

We spent the whole day at home today... some days, I don't mind.

Another Visit From Alicia

Alicia is my most amazing Hypnobabies doula - thank you, Crystal for recommending her to us. I will never forgot how she was there for me; such a wonderful memory and experience! And I am glad to be able to keep in touch.

A couple of days ago, I messaged Alicia to let her know I have pictures to give her and wondered if she can come by for a visit or if I should mail it out. She decided to come for a visit and see how Maddi has grown.

We love it when you visit, Alicia! We hope to see you again soon!

Later that night, since Henry was away on a work trip... Anne came over to hang out with us. We went to Yoko Yaya to see if they have any more knitting needles for our knitting night next week, then to T&T to shop for ingredients to cook dinner with. On tonight's menu - yellow chicken curry and green tofu curry.

I always get excited going to T&T, I feel like a kid in a candy store... I want EVERYTHING! Since we can only get as much as what the undercarriage of Maddi's stroller can hold, other than what we need tonight, I only got a couple other stuff to have congee with. I'm excited!

Mama Quiet Time

Today was a quiet day. I went to my appointment with Dr. Sukhi in the morning, then came home to have lunch before meeting an old friend who I haven't seen for a while to chat about a side business I'm considering. However, she had to stay home with her dad who was not feeling well. So we just had a short chat over the phone instead and had the rest of my afternoon free.

Maddi needed to nap, and usually, I can't just lay her down. She loves to be held. So she usually naps in the carseat or stroller while I'm out and about or I carry her in the Moby wrap. However, when I laid her down on the couch to put the Moby on, she just stayed sleeping. Jackpot! Mama gets to have her own quiet time... with some English tea, French cookies, chocolate, classical music in the background and a book - The Artist Way.

Talking To Auntie Julie

Today was parent/baby drop in day; something Maddi & I look forward to every week.

After drop in, Bryn and I went for a walk with the babes and tried not to smash into each other's strollers as we walked and talked. It's a new skill moms have to learn; personal space becomes larger when you're both pushing a stroller around. Every time one leans in to say something or listen to what the other one is saying, the strollers collide! There is a JJ Bean in the area, so naturally I stopped in for a cuppa.

Maddi has been cooing and making a lot of sounds lately. Tonight, when Auntie Julie visited, she had lots of stories to tell!

Sunshine-y Life

I've been under the care of Dr. Sukhi of Sunshine Life Studio for over a year now. I started seeing him in November 2010, just before conceiving Maddi. I went regularly throughout my pregnancy, which I think helped me have the best pregnancy and birthing experience one can ask for.

Post partum, Dr. Sukhi has helped me with all sorts of issues from a sore back to sore wrists from carrying Maddi, lifting her car seat and taking her stroller in and out of the car... as well as swinging her in the car seat when she is fussy in it! Amazing how this trick works so well in calming her down, but it is definitely hard on your back! Thank goodness I have Dr. Sukhi to fix me up and maintain my body's optimal health. My times at his clinic definitely are among my top happy places!

This is Kate, Dr. Sukhi's wife, who looks after Maddi while I go for my sessions. Dr. Sukhi and Kate are two of the awesomest people you will meet.

A Visit from Auntie Nuala

Maddi is a lucky girl to have so many aunties and uncles that love her. Today, she got another visit from her Auntie Nules.

Nuala was in the area shopping for a cheongsam (traditional Chinese dress) in Chinatown with some ladies from her office for their Chinese New Year dinner at work. That reminded me that I should have a look around for a Chinese dress for Maddi, too!

After being home all day, I was itching to go for a walk. So Nules and I decided to go for a stroll to Yoko Yaya and get some cheap knitting needles for our knitting night next week.

Discovering Thierry

I got on to Foursquare early in 2011 because L'Atelier offered a big discount to new clients for checking in on it. I don't remember to check in most times, unless I'm with my friend Sonia who's crazy over it.

However, for some reason, I've been remembering to check into places I go in the past week. And once I saw myself ranked against my Foursquare friends (you get points for checking into places, and ranked among your friends based on number of points you gather within a 7 day period), my competitive nature kicked in. All of a sudden, I am out-ranking Sonia! Woot woot!

Anyways, I've brought up Foursquare because that's how I discovered Thierry Patisserie.

I've been cooped up indoors for most of the day; so when I discovered Thierry, I sent out a spontaneous invitation to a couple of girlfriends to go check it out with me. And naturally, Sonia was one of them. In the end, she was the only one who can make it.

Tonight, I got to take a walk and check out this fabulous tea and treats place. They do have really good macarons! Also quite good coffee! And this came as a surprise to me, but they serve wine and liquor! Not that I'm a big drinker; quite the opposite, but I just thought that was a clever twist for a tea and treats place.

All in all, a wonderful night of play and simple pleasures, with a great girlfriend to share it with.

I do feel quite lucky to have girlfriends that can come hang out with me in a moment's notice. You know who you are, you are all awesome!

Gangsta

Other than an appointment with Dr. Sukhi, today was a fairly uneventful day.

Sean had today off from work; he had football on the tele of course, so Maddi and I just hung out at home with him.

In this photo, Sean just got home from placing his sports bets at the 7-11 across the street. Since it was getting close to the end of the day and I still don't have a photo for the day, I thought this would make a good one.

Maddi Got Her Library Card!

A few weeks ago, when we went to the parent/baby drop in at the Roundhouse, they had invited a librarian to run that session for a storytelling time. It was then that I first found out babies can get library cards! And the best part is, until they are 14 years old... they don't pay late fees!

So today, we met with Crystal & Baby Natascha and walked up to the library to get library cards for the babes. We didn't take any books out; but it was good to get out of the house even though we just ended up sitting in a corner in the children's section of the library breastfeeding the babes.

It actually was a pretty busy day for Maddi and I. After parting ways with Crystal and Baby Natascha, Maddi and I stopped to have lunch, then checked with Blacks if they do infant passport photos, stopped in Rogers to speak with Iwa and get our account fixed, went into Sears to check out their studio since Blacks doesn't have the set up to do infant passport photos... then finally home!

I must say, Vancouver is a pretty good city for moms. At the restaurant where I had lunch, and at Sears, I had to nurse Maddi. The restaurant was accommodating when I asked if I can go in a booth in the back for more privacy; and at Sears, there was a seating area that offered enough space for me to change Maddi's diaper and comfy couches for me to nurse Maddi in.

Sophie Kisses

Today, we went to see Dr. Sukhi. And boy, was I happy to see him... my body was happy to see him!

We met Cathy for lunch at Park Royal village. She had missed Maddi and was happy to hold her while I ate my lunch. After lunch, we made a quick dash into Old Navy to return some items from my holiday shopping.

We came home for Maddi's nap time... and this is Maddi giving Sophie kisses while getting changed before going for a nap.

Since Maddi's started to "regard her hands" (the term used in baby development) recently, I decided to introduce Sophie to her. She can't quite keep a hold on Sophie yet, but I think she does likes her.

Connected

Since I only have one baby, I don't know if all babies do this... but Maddi locks eyes with me a lot of the times when I nurse her. It is definitely a great reminder for me to be present in the moment. She has definitely been a great teacher for me, I am learning just as much from her as she is from me. These nursing times are also such bonding opportunities that only her and I share - so special.

The breast is definitely one of Maddi's top happy places, being there calms her so well. It is where she is most content. And frankly, having her on my breast is also one of my top happy places.

Today was the first week for parent/baby drop-in at Commercial & Broadway since the holiday break. We didn't see Bryn & Baby Jonah or Elina & Baby Jacob today; they're still on their respective holiday trips. It was great to see I-Wen and Baby Isaac though, as well as the other moms and babes that we've seen from last year.

Update on Maddi's sleep schedule - the other night might have been just an off night for her, because last night she slept seven hours straight!

Getting Back To Normal Schedule

After the busy-ness of the holidays, being over-stimulated and not being able to properly nap for a couple of days, it finally caught up to Maddi. Last night, she slept for 3 hours, fed, slept for another hour, fed, slept another 3 hours, fed, slept another hour and a half - I'm exhausted! I know, other new moms out there are thinking, "try that for a few weeks!" However, since I've been getting sleep... this was exhausting. I really hope this is simply an off night, and not the start of something!

Today, we are spending a quiet day at home... trying to get back to our normal schedule. In this photo, Maddi is napping in her favourite napping spot - the Moby. She's napping for over an hour, which is the amount of time babies need in order to complete a sleep cycle and feel rested when they wake up. According to the nurse at the drop in we go to, babies need to nap well during the day in order to sleep well at night. If they don't nap well during the day, they get over-tired and can find it hard to settle at night.

Hello, 2012!

Happy New Year!

Maddi was such a superstar! She stayed up to ring in the new year with us, then slept through the partying downstairs.

Normally, whenever Maddi sleeps on the bed with us, she sleeps in the middle, between Sean and I. It must've been mother's instinct, because somehow I just thought that tonight, this wouldn't be a good idea. So I moved Maddi to go between the wall and me, then Sean can just come into bed beside me.

Once Maddi fell asleep, I set up the video monitor and went downstairs to join the party for a while. When I got down there, I was greeted with a sexy-dancin' Ryan with the Nacho Libre mask on, a loaded Sean sexy-dancin' with him and a happy Jason cheering them on! I took the opportunity to snap a few pics.

 What greeted me as I rejoined everyone after putting Maddi to bed

 Maddi sleeping through all the ruckus

After some girls vs. boys Pictionary, it was 2am and was time for me to go to bed since Maddi could be up in 6 hours. I must've been a little over-stimulated since I couldn't seem to fall asleep immediately.

In another hour, just as I was starting to drift off to sleep, Sean stumbles into the room. Turns out, my instinct to move Maddi to the other side of me was a brilliant idea since Sean was quite out of it, he had trouble with the door knob coming into the room.

We spent all of New Year's Day at Nat and J's as well - pretty much same as last year. I think it's becoming a tradition! Damon, Jen, Baby Everett & Hank also dropped by for a visit; baby Everett is getting so big!

Thanks Nat & Amy for being great aunties and helping with Maddi. Thanks Nat & J for being such great hosts and being so great when Maddi's been fussier than normal.