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.

Serendipity

Today, I got a visit from Sue and baby Ethan for a few hours. After they left, I walked to Urban Fare to pick something up. On my way there, I felt compelled to walk into saf & benjamin, the new-ish baby store that opened up. Sommer, the wonderful woman that owns it happens to be tending the store. I don't even remember how the conversation started, but somehow we got talking about me wanting to start my photography business while I'm on maternity leave. She didn't cheap out on the support, encouragement and resource/advice for me to go for it... and even welcomed me to stop in anytime to say hello or if I had any questions.

Yesterday, I met with Ashleigh Wells, today I have this encounter with Sommer. I am super impressed with how these women are so generous and how willing they are to encourage and help another woman who is venturing to start her own business. They're not the only ones, either and it's not just women. I've been very blessed to meet a few good people that have blown me away with just how willing they are to help.

After the slew of replays on the media of Steve Job's speeches, plus this serendipitous connection today... I was compelled to do something. So, I went online and submitted a name approval request. When I get the approval in a few days, I'll register the business and get a GST/HST number. I realize I don't need to register until I'm making $30K a year, but registering just makes it more real in my head. It makes everything more professional, more legitimate and therefore requires more commitment on my part - no more one foot out. As my brother said, I need to go all out and give it my best shot.

I'm excited, and I'm so proud of myself for acting while inspired to be courageous and follow my heart... when it's so easy to simply wish and hope.

Run, Terry, Run!

 

Tonight, hubby and I went for a walk. Seems like it was a while ago since the last time we went on one. A few minutes out of our door, we come across this new memorial in front of GM Place.

I attended university at SFU, so although I didn't grow up here, I have heard of Terry Fox and his accomplishment. Such a great reminder of not being afraid to dream for a miracle, and not giving up on going after one's dreams! What an inspiration!

However, I must be honest. Someone "ordinary" like me can either hold him up on a pedestal, view him as special and make excuses for why I can't do great things like he did. Or, he can really be an inspiration... if I view him as disadvantaged compared to myself, yet he accomplished what he did. How much more capable am I to be able to accomplish my dreams?

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...

A Sushi Date

On my way home, I felt a craving for some ramen. I also know that hubby has been craving sushi. In light of my post from a few days ago - realizing that it would be wise to cherish these last few weeks of being just the two of us, I called Sean on the drive home from work and asked him out on a sushi date.

We walked to the Japanese restaurant across from our place. Although a bit disappointed that they don't have ramen, they did have udon. We ended up with a feast. First, we ordered a 42-piece sushi platter and vegetable udon soup. When Sean realized that there was no sashimi in the platter we ordered, we ended up getting a 6-piece sashimi combo since that's what he's been craving for a while now. Can't believe my hubby who wouldn't eat sushi just over a year ago, now craves sashimi!

It was waaaay too much food, but we managed to finish everything... then we both rolled our way home. My belly was rock hard and it's not all baby; 3 hours later, I'm still full! And Sean, he was the piggy that burped all the way home!

Thanks for being my date tonight, baby!

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.

Almost

It feels like I haven't been outside for a while. Other than the trip to the Okanagan and the camping trip, most of my daily photos have been of just stuff around the house. Before I get even lazier with my daily blog, I thought to invite hubby for a walk tonight since it was nice out.

After dinner, we took our cupcake desserts to the park near our house for a mini date. Hubby's just recovering from being sick, so he didn't want to be out for very long and we are both also feeling pretty tired. I keep looking around and asking for what the universe's message is for me today... I want to take my picture outdoors today!

On our way home, I saw this bush with yellow buds and the more familiar white cottony balls that I would blow on. I did not realize those cottony balls transformed from yellow flowers! Neat - you learn something new everyday! So, I took a picture of it.

Further, it also made me think of Maddi. Not to compare my baby to a weed, but I thought it was a neat message from the universe to view her as a small bud that soon will blossom into a thousand wishes! Babies symbolize such a great start, a blank page, a future with infinite possibilities!

p.s. I shared my thoughts with Sean and he said, "So sucky." I said, "What did you say?" He replied, "So sappy." LOL =P

Leg Warmers

It's almost July and I needed a sweater for my walk tonight! Really?!

I'm not the only one that thought it was chilly tonight... even the art installment by the seawall near our place thought it was a little nippy! Some knitter(s) thought to come to it's rescue, and made some leg warmers for it =)

I was just reading about the recent installments of "knitted graffiti" in Europe, so knew exactly what was done to this art piece from a mile away. I think it's a neat way for people to express their talent and creativity... and what courage to display it for the public to see!

Hello... Anybody Home?

Another disappointing game for Canucks fans.

The city gets revved up for a big celebration, but nothing to celebrate after a frustrating lost despite our guys out-playing and out-shooting the Bruins!

This is the stretch of Georgia Street that was shut down. Just hours before taking this photo, it was filled with fans gathered to watch the game on the big screen set up on the street. And when the Canucks won the two home games, people stayed downtown to celebrate late into the night... but tonight, it's sadly empty and quiet.

Dusk

It was a weird day today, weather-wise. Sunny & hot in Richmond, rainy in Vancouver, heavy downpour in North Vancouver, even hail!

Towards the end of the day, the sun finally came out in the downtown area... so we had a BBQ dinner on the patio with our friend, Stephen. After dinner, the view in front of us was in such weird lighting... most likely from the dark clouds that were still hanging around, and the sun trying to burn through.

Looks like an old photograph you'd see in an art gallery.

Rhythm Of The Tides

Tonight, after a chicken and corn dinner off the barbie, hubby and I went for a walk and was amazed at how high the water level was in False Creek. We walked further along the seawall and saw this inscription on a structure in the water.

The full inscription says, "The moon circles the earth and the ocean responds with the rhythm of the tides."

Cracked

I went for a photo walk with a friend this evening and killed two birds with one stone; metaphorically, of course - hung out with one of my best girlfriends, Anne, and went hunting for my photo of the day.

Anne told me about this sculpture in the middle of a concrete park in Yaletown. I've been to that park a couple of times, but not recently... so haven't seen this sculpture before. It is a bit odd, a bit creepy... but it also does what a piece of good art should do - get you thinking.

It seems like a sculpture of a man, but somehow it reminded me of Lady Liberty. It made me think of having gone through some hard times, ones that leave you cracked and falling apart... but it also made me think of being held together by whatever source of support one can muster.

I read somewhere recently that as women, we have an advantage on health... that spending time with our girlfriends is like exercising. We relieve just as much stress talking to our gal pals when we talk about our frustrations, stresses and how we feel. The article also said that the best thing a man can do for his health is to have a woman in his life.

What unstitches you? What holds you together?

* I also think that sometimes, it is good to let oneself get undone... a good opportunity to put oneself back together a bit (or a lot) differently than before.

On Your Mark, Get Set...

Go!!!

What a beautiful day it was today! It was sunny out, contrary to the weather forecasts. Hubby and I slept in, then went for a walk in the afternoon. We started out on the seawall in Yaletown and saw the Clearly Contacts dragon boat race. We came home just before 5pm to catch the hockey game, and it started raining shortly after. C'mon, Mr. Sun... stop sleeping on the job!

I am looking forward to flip flop weather so I can play more outside! Hubby had been sprucing up our outdoor space, I can't wait for the weather to warm up a little more so we can start enjoying it!

Doll Houses

Hubby an I walked to the West End to visit our friends Anne & Henry, as well as to hunt for my photo of the day on the way. We decided to walk by these houses which I just love. Aren't they dreamy? They look like doll houses! The green one, second from the left, is my favourite!

Dancing In The Moonlight

 

Hubby and I went for a walk tonight... in the rain. This was my favourite part of the walk... so pretty. 

And now, just as I'm writing this post, hubby is playing some really old tunes. Earth Angel came on, and I just had the image in my head of a couple slow dancing under moonlight in the middle of this courtyard.

It would be so romantic, wouldn't it?

Lights Out

Today was a long day at work. Long, but good and productive. When I have long days at the office, it is especially challenging to capture that day's blog photo unless I've taken the time to do so earlier during the day. Otherwise, by the end of the work day, I'm just so tired and all I want is to go home and relax in my refuge.

By 9.30pm, right after a squabble with the hubby over an insensitive comment he made on my whine that I don't have a picture for the blog yet... I ventured out to hunt for my picture of the day.

It's amazing that this being Yaletown, the hip area for the trendy and the young... there's hardly anything happening around here. Other than a few restaurants being open, most things are closed. I brought my journal with me, because I like to write when I'm upset or just have some things to think about... but even the nearby Starbucks was closed!

On the way home, I took this photo of the marina. I think the title and the photo are appropriate for the mood of the hour - time to snooze and get some rest! Tomorrow, there will be lots of time to pick up where we left off with our argument earlier tonight. Or better yet, we'd hopefully be in a better place from where we were, after having had some time away from it.

To all - I wish you a good night and may you dream sweet, sweet dreams!

Vancouver Public Library

Today was election day. I wanted to post a photo of the voting center I went to, encouraged by the fact that it was busy. According to one of the volunteers, other than a short lull just before noon, there has been a steady stream of people showing up to vote all day. However, no photography was allowed in the voting center... bummer!

I had to pick up a few items at the grocery store, so I made a detour up Robson St. to IGA. On the way home, despite carrying a bag of fairly heavy groceries and it being very wet out as it has been raining for most of the day, I was drawn to walk into the courtyard of the Vancouver Public Library.

Stepping in immediately took me back to my university days, to the odd times that I had been at the library. It wasn't so much studying there that I remembered, but how cool I thought this place was. I remembered that I was more excited for the breaks that I gave myself between studying, because I just loved checking out all the shops along the courtyard and sitting there enjoying some food or coffee. Did you know there's even a flower shop?! It felt as if I was in Europe somewhere, although I had to daydream people around me to be enjoying themselves instead of stressing over their schoolwork... but daydreaming was something I was good at, so that wasn't a problem at all. I will admit, I was an easily distracted student back then!

Despite not having spent a lot of time at the library, it definitely is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city for me. It is one of my favourite places, I think it inspires me with it's beauty... it encourages me to imagine more than what my eyes can see.

Do you have a place that does that for you?

Dr. Seuss Breakfast

We haven't seen our friends Thompson and Dana since before Christmas, when Dana was still pregnant with their baby. Today, we're finally able to sort something out of all our busy schedules and meet for brunch... and we're also meeting baby Greta for the first time. Such a sweetheart!

This morning, I let the child in me "play" with my food. I ordered one of the breakfast specials at Acme Cafe in Gastown - Green Eggs & Ham! It was tasty! Oh, and I also had Ovaltine with my brunch... talk about a flashback to my childhood!

The Horsie Says "Woof"?

I know Yaletown is like "dogtown," but c'mon, have we forgotten how to tell a horse apart from a dog? Way to confuse the kids who play in this playground. Giddyup! - Kramer-style!

Look At Me!

During our walk on this rainy Sunday night, something caught my attention. A street lamp shines on some of the branches of a magnolia tree, showcasing their blooms... as if calling out "look at me!"