Boxing Day With The Adlers

No, we didn't go Boxing Day shopping. We went out to see Annie & Des and finally meet baby Bryan, while they were in town to spend the holidays with family. Annie hired me to take their family portraits while they had everybody in her family together.

It was a bit nerve-racking because I haven't done a shoot for a while, and I'm using my portable studio set up for the first time. After looking at the shots I got when I got home, I think I did pretty good despite the challenge of photographing three kids together and getting them to all be happy at the same time.

With so much going on, I totally forgot to take a photo of Annie, Des & Bryan with Maddi - sooo mad! That would've been my photo for the day! I didn't realize it until we were halfway home... was tempted to turn around and get that photo since we'd probably have to wait years for another opportunity. I know that's a bit of an obsessive compulsive thing to do... and Sean wouldn't go for it, so I put up a photo of their new family instead for my photo of the day.

Moroccan Charm

Today, Maddi and I made the trek over the Lion's Gate Bridge to join the Finance department at Peak for a Christmas lunch. Thanks Harvey for making your fabulous cous cous and thanks Gil for bringing fresh nutmeg for the eggnog. What a treat! After some eats and a fun gift exchange game, we were off to Metrotown mall to meet my friend Sue.

It's getting down to the wire with Christmas shopping! I have said that I wouldn't go overboard with buying Christmas presents for Maddi this year since she's so little she doesn't really need or appreciate toys or clothes yet. In fact, she wouldn't appreciate anything more than the milk from my boob at the moment. I decided that I wanted to get her a special present this year as it's her first Christmas - maybe a locket on a chain or an activity mat which she'll use for a while, but not clothes which she'll grow out of in a blink of an eye.

Walking into Old Navy, however, made it difficult to stick to my initial thought since the clothes are just so darn cute and at such a good bargain! Can't really pass up a $20 pea coat or a $6 pair of baby jeans, can you?! And as if I needed more temptation, Mexx Kids had a 50% off everything in the store sale. God, help me!

Maddi and I continued to shop hours after Sue had left. Later that afternoon, Sean texted me to say he was coming home late. Turns out, he also went to Metrotown mall after work to meet a friend and do some Christmas shopping. We decided to meet up for dinner, then went our separate ways again to finish Christmas shopping.

While at the mall, I had to visit the parent room three times to feed Maddi. During one of those times, I had the misfortune of being stuck in an armchair with a hungry Maddi on my boob while being suffocated by the stench that's coming from a toddler getting her dirty diaper changed just a few feet away.

This photo is of one of the stores in the mall. Most of my photos since Maddi was born has been of her. It is a nice change to post something that is not Maddi, but catches my attention and inspires my creativity.

Happy Birthday, Greta!

Today's party is for Greta's first birthday. I can't believe she's already one!

We were the first guests, which is quite an accomplishment with a baby. but it's because we thought the party was half an hour before it really was! We did try really hard to be on time for when we thought it would be. Getting there early actually worked out perfectly, since Maddi needed to feed.

This was our first kids party with Maddi. The house was nice and quiet when we first arrived. Greta just woke up from her nap, and Maddi was feeding. In about 20 minutes or so... the house very quickly transformed into a busy place with kids. There must've been upto 15 kids in their living room at one point.

In this photo, Greta is giving Maddi a hug. So cute... Happy Birthday, Greta!

Meeting Santa

I've been talking about taking Maddi to see Santa for a week or so now... but was dreading the line up to see him. I've seen Santa at the Kids' Market in Granville Island before and thought he looked pretty cool. So I thought to go there instead of the malls. Since Sean was off today, we decided make a family day out of it and go to Granville Island.

When we got there, we were surprised to see that not only was there no line up, but Santa walked around Kids' Market rounding up kids for his story time. After reading the little ones a story, he invited them up to his knee one by one so they can tell them what they wanted for Christmas.

Maddi went after all the big kids have gone. We asked the dad in front of us to take our family picture with Santa, then I took some of just Santa and Maddi. After I was done taking the shots I wanted, I was ready to leave. But to my surprise, Santa wanted to spend some time with Maddi! He said, "Ok, little one... let me have a look at you." He held her so that she was facing him, talked to her and cuddled with her. I thought, "more photo op!" and starting clicking away again. I'm so happy we went to Granville Island. The Santa there is awesome! I think we'll be visiting him there every year!

By the way, this was my first photo with Santa as well!

Ethan & Maddi

After such a rough weekend emotionally, I really wanted a good day today. The sun was shining, a promising sign.

Maddi woke up this morning and snot came out with her sneeze. My baby got her first cold! =( So, I made an appointment with Dr. Wenner, just to make sure she is ok. She is such a trooper, she was still the happy baby that she always is, despite being under the weather. I am definitely blessed!

Since Maddi was not feeling 100%, I kept the day pretty low key although we still were out for most of it. I went to my appointment with Dr. Sukhi in the morning, then off to hang out with my ladies, Anne & Sue for an hour and a half before heading to our appointment with Dr. Wenner. Despite a terrible time finding parking, the hang out was great and much needed! Ethan and Maddi also got to hang out for the first time. Aren't they so cute?! It is definitely awesome to have girlfriends with babies around the same age. I'm looking forward to hanging out more while we're both on maternity leave!

Tonight, Sean and I had a good night. Since Sean has tomorrow off, we had a mini date night at home and enjoyed an old classic, Funny Girl, after Maddi went to bed. Such a great movie!

Three Boys And A Little Lady

Maddi is four weeks today! According to the baby development emails I get every Sunday, she will start to coo and giggle and smile around this time. Looking forward to that - she's already making some sounds.

This morning, after waking up for a feeding at 7.30, Maddi slept some more with daddy while I got busy with getting some stuff done. Sean and Maddi finally got up at 10am. They hung out some more while I went to have my ginger sponge bath. I've never appreciated my personal hygiene moments as much as in these last little while!

At 11.30, Cathy and Victor brought the boys to come visit Maddi. Cathy had told me before that Morgan just loves babies. How cute is that, right?! Morgan is the older one, he's six. Conner is three and he's a little monkey! =) I bet they would love another baby in the family! C'mon Cathy, you know you want one too! ; )

After a short visit, the boys went to play at the playground nearby while Cathy and I visit some more. Thanks for the strawberry shortcake, Cath!

After they left, Maddi fell asleep so I had some time to do some chores before joining Maddi for a nap. Maddi ended up sleeping for a long time, perhaps because she was cozy, all bundled up in a tight swaddle. She didn't feed as much as she usually does before bed, and I wonder if that means she won't sleep through the night tonight. I guess we'll see!

A Visit from Ted, Marisa and Yam Yam

This is the first weekend after my family left. It was a typical day. My days in the last month has pretty much consisted of meeting Maddi's needs - feed her, change her diaper; somehow squeeze in my own meals in between and when she sleeps, I join her on one of her naps and at other times that she sleeps, perhaps I'd get time to do chores, get to some of the stuff on my to do list, blog and post photos on Facebook.

Tonight, we had the Lau's over for a visit. They came with take out from one of our favourite Thai places. Dinner was delicious! Thanks, Ted & Marisa!

It seems that most kids are fascinated with babies. Yammers is the second toddler we've had to come visit and she too liked Maddi. Every 5th word out of her mouth was "baby" in that cute toddler voice. She's a bit scared of Sean, but Sean was bribing her with cookies and ice cream so she was a little bit okay with him too. However, when it came time for them to leave and Sean put on his toque to go out and get the parking pass from them, she bawled! Even in the middle of bawling, she managed to say, "bye bye, baby" - sooo cute!

Dorky Spectacles

This morning, I woke up at 3.30 - AGAIN! Sean was off so I stayed in bed with him and managed to drift in and out of sleep until 9am, when he decided to get out of bed. I got out of bed, too and made pancakes for breakfast.

I had my acupuncture session today, and Sonia did some work to naturally induce labour. Between Sukhi and Sonia, I'm sure baby will come if she's ready.

We got another visit from Hen, Gib and Baby G today. We had ramen for lunch and walked around Yaletown, checking out some baby & kids stores. In this picture, Sean is goofing around in one of them... he looks like a dork, sort of reminds me of Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys.

Conner Turns 3!

This is Conner, at his 3rd birthday party... waiting for his turn on the trampoline and looking tough with a band aid on the side of his head.

It seems not too long ago when he was the most laid-back baby I've ever met... but what a mischievous boy he's turned out to be! He's definitely grown to have his very own unique personality! Such a trouble maker - the very cute and adorable kind! =)

Downward Facing Dog

Tonight, we visited friends we haven't seen for a while and were entertained by their 14-month-old, Oliver. This is Oliver demonstrating how a proper downward dog is done. Sooo cute!

Clueless!

Games night at my cousin's with his family... we decided to play Clue. Two hours later... still clueless!!! Fun times, fun times...

My Rocket Dogs

Not just a pretty face, so comfy... my favourite companion for walking around downtown!

You bring out the best kid in me... curious, playful, full of wonder in exploring the world around me.

There's Always Room For Jello!

Today, I was craving crispy chow mein, so we ordered Chinese for dinner. When we opened the bags of food, I discovered something I didn't order - they gave us jello for dessert! I haven't had jello for the longest time... it was a welcomed surprise! I wonder what flavour it is... I am wishing for strawberry.

I am off to practice being a kid and play with my food... did I tell you I love how jellos jiggle? Anytime I get to play, I am transported to a mental happy place!

Be A Kid

Have a BIG chocolate chip cookie!!!

Do adults not have big chocolate chip cookies? If so, why not? Do we feel greedy for having such a big piece? Do we feel frivolous and irresponsible? Inconsiderate of others maybe? Or perhaps we don't feel deserving? I know I have had at least one or a number of different combinations of these thoughts at one point or another that keeps me away from that big cookie...