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.

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.

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!

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!

New Year's Eve

Since we were up till 3am playing Scattergories, and thank goodness that Maddi is such a good sleeper, we spent the first half of the day sleeping in. No one is a bigger sleep hog than Nina tho... she didn't wake up until after noon! We spent the next few hours just lounging around, chatting. I was in my pj's all day. Maddi continued to be fussier than normal and wouldn't nap for longer than half an hour each time. By about 6pm, I headed for the shower, then we started getting our stuff ready to go to the New Year's Eve party at Nat & J's.

When we got to Nat & J's, we claimed a bedroom and set up our stuff. If it's anything like last year, we'll be spending most of tomorrow at their place, too!

Finally, Maddi napped for about 47 minutes, but not quite an hour. I sure hope she'll still sleep well tonight!

There was giant Jenga, and those that can drink (everyone else but me) were playing a drinking game with it - involving tequila shots. This should be interesting!

Since Maddi usually doesn't sleep until 11.30pm, she'll most likely stay up to ring in the new year.

Pink Fuzzy Bear

Started today with an adjustment from Dr. Sukhi, then stopped by the Park Royal mall to pick up a pair of pants I left to be hemmed a long time ago and almost forgot about at Lululemon. Motherhood is right next door, so of course I strolled in for a quick look. A quick look turned into an hour, and included a feed and a change for Maddi. I love how they have a big bathroom right in the store and they let you breastfeed in their fitting rooms!

Later that night, Sean and I walked up to Anne and Henry's. I wanted to see how Maddi would do in the Moby while we're out and about since I've only used it at home and any time I've had her in there, she was sleeping. We took the stroller with us, just in case she didn't do well in the Moby while in transit.

Anne made dinner, salad and pasta with seafood cream sauce - so yummy! Thanks, Anne! Maddi is loved by her Auntie Anne and Uncle Henry... I always enjoy watching Henry play with Maddi - so cute. =)

Since Maddi did so well on the walk to Anne & Henry's, we decided to walk home with her in the Moby as well. In this photo is Maddi and I all suited up to make the 20 minute trek home.

Meeting Grauntie Heidi

Today, we got another visit from Uncle Bob (Gruncle to Maddi) and he brought with him... Maddi's Grauntie Heidi! They came right during her nap time, so here is Auntie Heidi holding a sleeping Maddi.

Uncle Bob and Auntie Heidi came with a fun Christmas present for Maddi - everything she needs to dress festive for the holiday season! She got a gingerbread bodysuit, bib, receiving blanket and a headband with a bow on it. She'll have to be wearing these right away and as much as possible to get as much use out of them!

They also brought food for Sean and I - soooo appreciated, thanks!

After Uncle Bob & Auntie Heidi left, we had a couple of hours to run a couple of errands before party number 2 for the weekend - Amy's birthday dinner! It was a bit tricky breastfeeding, and the music in the restaurant was a bit loud - almost as loud as being in a club... but Maddi did really well, without fussing much... although you can tell she was a bit over-stimulated. She was a lot better once we transferred the party to Amy & Ryan's place for dessert.

So far, so good. Two parties down, one more to go tomorrow, and Maddi has done great at both that we've been to so far. We'll see how she'll fare tomorrow.

Nurse Anne

We first met our community nurse Anne when Maddi was 3 days old and my milk just came in the night before. Maddi didn't seem to like the fuller breasts and wasn't nursing as much. In the meantime, I was on my way to getting very engorged! Anne was my saving grace. She called me that day when I was just thinking, "I don't know what to do and if she doesn't start draining them, I'm afraid they'll just explode!" After a few minutes on the phone, she decided that she needed to come for a visit and I was so glad she could come the same day! She showed me some tricks and in the next couple of days, Maddi has drained the left one, which is the more engorged one, 3 times!

She's come to visit another time and today was her third visit. She's helped us with Maddi's gas issues, sleeping schedule, etc. Although Maddi sleeps through the night, which is awesome for me, her bedtime has been some time between midnight and 1 o'clock. I was trying to get her to go to bed earlier, and I think what I've been doing is working. Last night and the night before, she's gone to bed for the night at 11.30pm.

We love our nurse Anne!

Thank You For Everything!

This is my traditional Chinese postpartum care crew!

My sister Hennie who took care of me and made sure all of our meals are taken cared of the first week after Maddi's birth, before my parents arrived.

Gib, my brother-in-law, drove my parents around half the time to take them places and pick up anything we might need... including an outlet mall shopping day trip across the border.

My parents arrived on the Friday when Maddi was 5 days old. As soon as they arrived, until the hour before we took them to the airport, my dad was constantly cooking up storm - meals, snacks... it was heaven! He was my chief cook, you see! =) My mom took care of all my herbal Chinese medicines, my ginger sponge baths, cleaned up after my dad makes a big mess in the kitchen and washed the dishes after every meal.

Sean, Maddi and I can't thank you guys enough. I am going to miss the royal treatment after you leave ='(

Missing you already, can't wait to see you all in April!

Donna

Today, Donna took me out for lunch as I wind down this week before I go on maternity leave.

I first met Donna almost 8 years ago when I interviewed for a Finance clerk position at Peak Potentials in January of 2004. Despite the humble beginnings of a 2-drawer filing cabinet for a desk in a cramped office... those were fondly remembered fun days working in an office that had a culture like no other.

It seemed we had cake every week celebrating someone's birthday in the pit. I loved the energy in the office and no matter how chaotic it was at times, everything seemed to somehow flow into place. It was an environment that encouraged play as much as hard work; where people pulled together what at times seemed to be impossible tasks.

This was supposed to be an in between job for me until I found a career job. However, a testament to how awesome this place is, and the people that work in it... almost 8 years later, I am still here. Despite frustrating times off and on throughout the years when I had thoughts about working elsewhere, I had struggled a lot on the thought of leaving this place at the end of this week.

Without any accounting education background, I've learned on the job and had been promoted over the years to take on more and more responsibility. I have the belief and support of an awesome manager and friend to thank for that.

I have many great memories with Donna over the years that I've known her. She was there to give me advice when I was trying to figure out my relationship with Sean, there at my stagette and wedding, there when I decided to go back to school, and now as I continue on my journey to having a baby. However, the best memory I share with her would have to be one from the Fall of 2004, at the first ever event of that season, when I traveled from event to event. Donna came to that first event. As I took a few bites of my "risotto cooked in red wine" lunch one day while working with her, my cheeks started to feel tremendously warm. I asked if they were red, because I thought I was getting drunk. I had to ask her if I was allowed to grab another lunch, as I can't eat any more of what I've got without passing out. She wouldn't let me forget it since!

Donna, you've been more than a manager to me. You've been a friend and a big sister who I can go to whenever I needed an ear to listen to what I have to say or a sounding board to sort out whatever may be troubling me in my head. Thanks for all that you've done for me over the years, I will definitely miss working with you.

Chasing Dreams

This is a vision board I made with a group of friends last November. A couple of the things on the board have already come true for me! I am just weeks away from meeting my little girl, I've taken this year to explore my creativity by starting an artist group with a few of my friends and getting a membership at the art gallery; I've also taken this year to search my heart, mind and soul by keeping up with this blog and openly sharing; and I've cultivated my smart parts by going back to school. Although I've added fuel to my passion for photography by going to the Image Explorations workshop this summer; now, I feel that the time has come for photography to take center stage in my focus.

My brother, who grew up being generally shy and quiet... has unexpectedly become one of the most inspiring people in my life. I love talking to him about dreams and going after them... he is one of the most driven, disciplined and ambitious people I know. I think he and my dad share more similarities than they both want to admit. =)

Tonight, I had a chat with my brother on Facebook. I told him I really need to use the time during my upcoming maternity leave wisely. It is my opportunity to figure out what I want to do with my career - whether I move forward with a secure future in accounting, or venture into the world of entrepreneurship and give my best to building a career in photography.

I have demons to slay in my head when it comes to photography - insecurities I need to get over, fears that I simply need to overcome by jumping in with both feet. I told him I've hesitated pouring financial resource into photography because I didn't want to make my family (Sean and now Maddi, too) suffer because I've misjudged photography for a worthy investment. Then even when my parents had offered to financially support my venture, I didn't want to waste their generous gift, so I was going about it really slowly. However, I now think that perhaps half-assing it is actually preventing me from making it. So maybe, I should just take their generous gift and give it my best shot. According to my brother's encouraging wise words, "Yes... GO, GO, GO... in a big way!"

I need to go after my dreams, if I'm going to be convincing when I tell Maddi one day that she should go after hers. For this, I am grateful to have people in my life that are willing to support me in whatever way they can so I can have the opportunity to chase after my dreams.

How did I get so lucky to have such awesome people in my family?!

Showered

The picture above is of the amazing diaper cake that my talented friend Anne put together for me.

Today, my awesome girlfriends threw me a most amazing baby shower for Maddi. A big spread of yummy food, adorable decorations, and super fun games. Then, I was SHOWERED with lots of presents for Maddi. Such tiny stuff!

After carting everything from the party room where the shower was back to our place... I started to go through everything, take tags off so I can get them ready to be laundered. As I did this, the pile of stuff just kept growing and eventually I had a mountain of them. It was pretty overwhelming.

I had guests from out of town at my shower, and some of my friends were stuck in a horrible traffic jam getting here. Maddi even got unexpected presents from our friends all the way in the UK, from one of my guy friends who wasn't invited to a ladies only shower, and one of my friends' moms all the way in Ontario. I feel very lucky and grateful to have such great friends and family... who wanted to shower Maddi with so much love.

Just The Two Of Us

Seems like it's been a while since the last time hubby and I went for a walk. Tonight, we decided to go on one. I enjoy these walks... just the two of us.

With just six weeks before Maddi's expected arrival, there are a few different emotions running through me. Of course I'm excited to welcome Maddi to the family, and look forward to the joy that she will bring us; although to be honest, I have no idea what it will be like. However, I'm a little scared to leave what I know, and a little sad about forever losing life, as I know it - just Sean and I.

I think the message from the universe tonight is to take the next six weeks to really cherish these "just the two of us" times - go on dates, spend quality time with each other and go on these walks.

Nules O'Shananigan

Today was a soggy day, but Nules and I were both getting bored being stuck indoors.

We decided to head out to a nearby cafe, played around with some drawings while we sipped coffee and chatted. Then, we decided to visit the local art store - an expensive decision!

Lastly, we stopped by another cafe for some eats when we realized we've skipped through lunch.

I played around with my flash and was taking portraits of Nules at the cafe... here's me "toasting" Nules as she gave me that "I'm up to no good" look. According to Scott Robert Lim, half of a light sandwich is a toast =).

Missed You!

Perhaps it was just the pregnancy hormones, but I was surprised at how nervous I was to be left at the school for the photography workshop last Sunday. It was like the first day of school and I didn't know anybody. I didn't want Sean to leave. I kept telling myself, "You're a big girl!"

It ended up being an amazing week. I saw a couple of familiar faces and also made a few new friends. I still missed Sean a lot... and it was great to finally see him when I got home tonight.

Make Time For Friends

Regina is a friend I met during my university and church days. Since graduating, she's been quite the traveler... and I don't see very much of her at all. It's always a nice treat to hear from her every once in a while, when she happens to be in town.

Yesterday, I got a msg that she'll be in town until mid next week. However, since I'm going away this Friday... it was a bit tricky organizing to meet up in such a hurry. I am so glad we managed to make it work! It was great to see her and to catch up with each other even if for just an hour or so.

It is true what I read in The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin - that making time for friends is important, it contributes to one's happiness; that spending time with a girlfriend is healthy and comparable to going to the gym. So there, I've done my exercise for the day! =)

Take care my friend... until we see each other again!

Au Revoir

After a couple weeks of being unplugged for most of the time... I am finally back online and back to blogging. I did take pictures everyday even though I wasn't posting. There are lots of photos to go through... but I will be posting the missed days in between this post and my last one as I find time to work on them... so watch out for those.

The last two weeks has been busy with travels. Sean and I went on an Alaskan cruise with some of my family for the first week, then flew to NYC with my parents for the second week. Despite the trips being somewhat disappointing, especially for my dad... I was happy to be able to spend some time with my parents, whom I don't get to be with nearly as often as I would like.  It has been great to be in their company, as well as to be spoiled with my dad's cooking.

Tonight, however, my time with my parents came to an end... until we see each other again. We took this portrait just before Sean and I dropped them off at the airport.

Mama & papa, thank you for visiting me. Safe travels... I miss you already =(

Usual Suspects

What a bunch of grump-grumps! Smile, the sun is out! =P

Spent a sunny Good Friday with my cousin and his family. We started out with brunch at the Yucca Tree Cafe in White Rock, then a stroll by the boardwalk, and ended off our time together with a gelato stop!

Looking forward to the next time we hang out!

Portrait Of A Married Couple

We eat, we go for walks. We play volleyball, we throw the frisbee around. We bicker, we yell, we fight... we take a break, we apologize, we kiss and make up.

We go to the movies just before the Oscars, we sit and watch tv on our couch. We host parties, you go all out for Halloween.

We go on trips and see the world. I take pictures for souvenir, you collect shot glasses. You drink beer, I drink coffee. I make you dinner, you make me breakfast. In a food court, I'll get something Asian, and you'll go to Subway or Quiznos.

We get silly and goofy, we make each other laugh. We get stubborn and annoying, we make each other mad.

We did these and more for the last 5 years... and I will do them with you, all over again. Looking forward to many more adventures in the years to come!

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

Best.Hubby.Ever!

It was a nice day out and I wanted to go to Stanley Park for a walk and to take my daily photo. Hubby had a full day of March Madness to watch, but he decided to peel himself away from the games to go on the walk with me for a couple of hours.

He cooks, he cleans, he brings flowers home, he takes the garbage out, gives me hugs and kisses (even on text msgs), makes me laugh, takes me to the ballet, goes to the art gallery with me and peels himself away from his sports to go for a walk with me... yes, I'm pretty lucky!