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.

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.

Kisses From Da-Da

Other than some more down-to-the-wire Christmas shopping, today was a quiet day.

I haven't posted a photo of Maddi with Sean lately, so I thought it would be good to post one today.

This is Maddi in her sleep sack, looking so very loved as she receives kisses from da-da... And Sean looking like he's enjoying parenthood.

Happy Dreams

As Maddi napped today, I stared at her for minutes before I napped too. This photo is taken in that time and I caught her smiling in her sleep. Sweet dreams, happy baby!

I've started to hear some coos from Maddi and it is so exciting when she does! A part of me wants her to stay this small forever, but another part of me is excited to see her develop, grow and learn to do different things. I can't wait to see how she grows up to be like, I can't wait to see her little personality emerge, I can't wait to get to know her and the little person that she grows to become.

It truly is a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding the path for her life. It is both nerve-racking and exciting beyond words to be given this enormous and incredible responsibility. Yet, with the love I have for her as her mother, I am confident I will do my best to give her the best life has to offer. Now I understand what my parents have always said, "Everything we do, we do for you."

Daddy And Me Time

This morning, Maddi woke up at 8.45am after having slept through the night - again! We are sooo lucky! Sure hope she keeps this up!

She's always hungry when she first wakes up, so I feed her then this has started to become her routine with daddy - she goes on top of Sean's chest after she's been fed and snoozes a little more with daddy.

Skin-to-skin takes Maddi to her happy place. Quite frankly, it takes both Sean and I to our happy places, too!

I had a hard time leaving work just over a month ago... now, I have to say that I am quite happy to be home with my baby girl =). I think Sean will have a hard time going back to work in a week and a half.

An Afternoon Tea Affair

Today, I woke up at 4.30 in the morning. I decided to get out of bed and join Sean for a bowl of cereal. When he left for work, I went back to bed. Luckily, I was able to fall back asleep and didn't wake up until 9.30!

I didn't really have much planned today, although somehow the day seemed to just fly by. I had a chiropractic appointment at noon, stopped by my work to drop off a doctor's note, then headed home for a little while before I met up with some girlfriends for an afternoon tea date at the Vancouver Fairmont Hotel. I walked there as I'm trying to make sure I walk for an hour each day.

The picture is of Anne's vegetarian set and my preggy-friendly set of afternoon tea delights! Tea always takes me to my happy place... and I'm glad I got to squeeze this in before Maddi comes.

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.

Quest For Happiness

I really hate how depressed I've been feeling lately. Especially because I am truly excited about Maddi's arrival, yet somehow this depression is over-shadowing my excitement. Damn pregnancy hormones! I was determined to get out of this emotional rut, so was consciously (and unconsciously) working hard to overcome it. In my quest for happiness... the universe came back with three answers.

First Answer:

Yesterday, I ended my day with a Skype chat. I was telling a friend how I don't understand why I feel so depressed about leaving work. If I want my job, it'll be there for me when my maternity leave ends. If I don't go back to work, it's because I have a better alternative. So why am I so upset about leaving?! Thinking things through logically usually puts things into perspective when I'm being emotional, so this definitely helped.


Second Answer:

Today, I stumbled upon a picture on Facebook that a friend had shared a link to. There was a write-up on what the picture was about. It was a mother who used her body as a shield to protect her 3-month-old baby from their collapsing house during the big earthquake in Japan not too long ago. Her body was crushed and therefore died, but her baby was miraculously alive. There was a cell phone in the baby's basket that had a text saying "If you can survive, you must remember that I love you."

I don't know if these stories that circulate online are real... but nevertheless, this one had a message for me. It put into perspective my grieving for leaving the work life in just a little over a week. It tells me that I will love Maddi so much, I would be more than okay to give up the life I've always known to embrace my new life with her in it.


Third Answer:

As I was leaving work today, I packed up some of my personal items to take home. And among those was my Soul Coaching Oracle card deck. When I got home, I pulled a card out of the deck. I got "Gratitude" - it reminded me that gratitude is the secret to a joy-filled life. If I find what's good and wonderful in every moment, I can experience happiness and peace.

So, whenever I have the urge to feel sad, I can just look down at my belly and be reminded that I can't wait to meet and snuggle with my precious baby girl.

Eeyore-y Mood

It seems Summer is over.

The weather has turned in the last couple of days and today is just a day away from the official last day of Summer this year.

This is what it looks like on my drive home at approximately eight o'clock at night - wet, soggy and gloomy. And it seems to reflect my mood recently. The closer it gets to my last day at work, I find myself dreading it and feeling really sad about a chapter in my life ending.

Just as sure as a season ends, life chapters also end. Physically, I've had the best pregnancy I could ask for. Perhaps, my pregnancy battle comes in the form of emotional challenges?

I hate feeling this way. I am excited about Maddi's arrival, but somehow I'm focused on what's ending and what I'll be losing. I need to find a way to get out of this Eeyore-y mood. I just want to be happy, I need to find my happy place!

London Chic

I often just get these sudden urges to get my hair cut... and today was one of those days. I just love getting my hair cut... definitely one of the things that take me to my happy place! On one hand, I hesitate to cut my hair because it had just gotten long enough in the back that I could sort of tie it up in a mini pony tail... and Sean said he likes it. However, my hair just looks like a mess and I feel the need for a rescue operation before it got any sloppier.

So I made a consultation appointment to see what they would recommend before committing to a haircut. Literally, the consultation took a minute or two... was assured that I could polish up my look while keeping some of the length in my hair and I went for it. Towards the end of the appointment, he asked if he could give me a fringe. I told him that if he thinks it'll look good, I am pretty adventurous with my hair and I would be open to it. I just never had a fringe since I was five because I have thick, coarse hair and lots of it... and I didn't want to end up looking like a mushroom head. He assured me it wouldn't, so I consented. And this was the result. He said I look very London-y!

It took a bit of getting used to... I did feel a bit like a mushroom head at first, but I love my hair now.

English Bay Sunset

Today was a busy day!

First thing in the morning, I had to go get AirCare test done on my car. On the way back to work, I get stuck on the wrong side of the train tracks when the crossing train decides to stop halfway and delayed getting to the office even though I was just about 2 minutes away.

When I got to the office, I had to plug away at my to-do list for the day as I had a chiropractic appointment at noon. I headed back to work for another hour, then had to leave early for a doctor's appointment in the afternoon.

Sean was off today to I swung by home to pick him up and he came with me to the doctor's office. The doctor confirmed that Maddi's still head down and everything looks good.

After the appointment, we stopped by our friends Sonia & Jeff's place for a little bit. Sonia wanted to give me Maddi's shower present as she likely won't be able to make it to my shower this Saturday.

On the way to drop Sean off at the beach, I decided to stay and hang out instead of heading home. I'm glad I did. I just chilled by the courtside, watched our friends play volleyball, grabbed dinner, and ate it with this sunset view in front of me. These are times worth soaking in...

La Casa Gelato

My friend Amy's mom is in town and since her birthday was just around the corner, we decided to go out for dinner to celebrate. After dinner, we came up with the brilliant idea to go for a gelato stop at La Casa Gelato.

This place is definitely up there as one of my favourite places in town. Being a gelato place that offers over 200 flavours, how could it not?!

One of the flavours I usually get is durian. Yes, the stinky fruit... you can usually tell which one it is because it'll be the only flavour covered. It is an acquired taste, not everyone likes it... but I most definitely enjoy it!

Sweet Dreams

Tonight, I unpacked some of the boxes as I organized our den into an office when I stumbled upon something that put a big grin on my face - one of my Sweet Dreams romance novels from my early teen years!

I remember cleaning out my old desk years ago and it was hard to part with my collection of teen romance novels. I thought it would be silly to keep them all, but I'm so glad I decided to keep one for memory's sake even though I got rid of the rest.

I don't know if these were popular here in North America at the time, but they were huge in Manila, where I grew up! They were definitely up there as one of my favourite things!

Guess what my bed time read will be tonight? I'm curious to see how I would enjoy this read now, as an adult and almost ready to pop a baby out! Can't wait to be brought back to one of my happy places which I haven't visited in a long while... so excited!

Sweet dreams, everyone!!! =)

Elephant Island

Since I am pregnant, I didn't do any of the tastings at all the wineries we stopped at; hence, I didn't purchase any wine.

When I got to Elephant Island however, they all just sounded soooo good... I can't help but at least have a sniff at all the wines the other ladies were tasting.

Just from sniffing and with a little help from the ladies, I ended up purchasing 4 bottles from this place!

Looking forward to making cheesecake and pouring some of the raspberry or cassis fortified wines (or both) on it! Will have to wait a couple of months for this... but I have a feeling it'll be worth the wait!

Pamper Me

It's been a while since I've had any self-pampering... and for the last few weeks, I've been wanting to get some "pamper me" time in. Earlier last week, I called my trusty esthetician for a home service appointment. She's the best!

I love getting spa services done... it's one of my favourite things, but sometimes, it's even better when you can get them done in the comfort of your own home.

Almost four hours later... mani/pedi - check; waxing - check; facial - check! I feel so good! By the way, the colour on my nails is a combination of OPI's Tickle My Fancy and Celebration.

Now, the only thing I have yet to do is book myself in for a massage.

Burst My Bubble

For such a brilliant day - the sun out and the jazz festival at the park just blocks away from us, I am not sure why I was in such a cranky mood. Perhaps it was because I was experiencing some back pains, but who knows?! I just really wanted to burst out of the crabby bubble I was in. I didn't feel like being around people and thought that perhaps I should bail on a BBQ invitation by our friends tonight.

Thank goodness, I thought better. I decided to go for a short walk with hubby to check out the jazz festival. I thought that perhaps some exposure to the sun would help my mood... and I think it worked.

When we got to the BBQ, it was awesome to see friends we haven't seen for a while, enjoy playing with babies and be spoiled with good food.

This is a picture I took of Abby who was playing with bubbles. It's amazing how something so simple (soap and water) can emit such awe and provide seemingly endless entertainment.

My New Favourite Spot

 

A year and a half after we moved in, we've finally been able to furnish our patio about 95% of how we would like it. This would easily be my favourite area of our home - if only it were nice out and I can enjoy it more! We now have a BBQ, so are equipped for summer cooking; an outdoor dining table for six where yummy goods fresh off the grill can be enjoyed; and a lounge area for after dinner drinks and conversation.

Mr. Sun, seriously... please come out and stay a while so we can enjoy this space more and I don't have to keep rescuing my plants from drowning to death; some of them look a little grim lately!

I sure hope Summer next year would be nice and long... I would love to spend much of my time out here with baby McMillen during my mat leave!

It's Raining, It's Hailing?!

Hubby and I hung out at our friends Anne & Henry's last night, had a late night and ended up staying over. This morning, we walked home to find some of our flower pots flooded with rain water... some of them are dying =( Isn't it May already?!

Just the other day, I thought the nice weather was a promise of warmer days to come. This week has been rain, rain and more rain! I realize the rain is what makes this city beautiful and I do appreciate it for what it contributes to make this the place that it is; but isn't Summer supposed to be just around the corner? Why, then, do I see hail on my patio today?!

I ended up finding my happy place tucked under the covers, while I took a nap for the rest of the afternoon. I got my much needed rest, thanks to the rain and the cold outside.

Imaginary Friends

This sight caught my attention as I was walking to my car from my chiropractor's office. I thought that disregarding it's surroundings - parking lot on either side with a few cars, this small patch looks like it belongs in a rustic, romantic, overgrown garden; the kind that fairies live in. It reminded me of one of my favourite movies, Pan's Labyrinth.

That movie showed me how powerful imagination can be - even in a really bad and scary reality, imagination can save us. It can give us a happy place to go to, introduce us to fairy friends for guidance and companionship, inspire us to be courageous and give us hope for a happy ending.