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.

Maddi's First Sleepover

Today was a stay-at-home day... until at night. Our friends Mark and Gabby who moved to Toronto in the Summer were back in town for a visit and arranged for a dinner out with all those that played in their ultimate team many years ago.

The evening started at Anne & Henry's for a photo slideshow that Crissy put together as well as some pre-dinner drinks - for those of us that are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. Then, we walked to Banana Leaf for dinner.

Maddi was really good at Anne & Henry's, but was pretty fussy at the restaurant. Not really sure why; at one point I thought she might have had gas pains so I helped her do some baby exercises and rubbed her belly; then I thought she wanted to feed, but I tried to feed her at three separate occasions and she wouldn't eat. Maybe she was also over-stimulated.

After dinner, we drove out to my cousin's place out in Surrey - we're sleeping over (Maddi's first) so that we'd have most of tomorrow to spend with my cousin and his family. When we got there, Maddi finally ate, then I put her to bed. This was her corner of the bed.

After she went to bed, we played board games like we usually do whenever we stay over. I love it. It's been too long, glad to finally be spending some time with them!

Maddi Got Her 2-Month Shot

Today, we had appointments with Dr. Wenner. I have my postpartum check-up and Maddi had her 2-month check-up and immunization. She is now 10lbs 7oz!

She was such a trooper, didn't cry much at all. Or maybe, she just finds her mama so comforting because she calmed right down when I hugged her after she was administered the shot. =) She still doesn't like getting strapped in her car seat though, so she was crying as we left the doctor's office.

Throughout the day however, she would just wail out of the blue every once in a while... although she'd calm down in no time. Perhaps the spot where she took the shot is sore.

Meeting Jamie

After seeing photos of Jamie on Facebook for several months... we finally got a chance to meet him in person! So awesome to have the opportunity to see Tanya, Uli & Jamie while they are in town visiting from the UK for the holidays.

The day started with dim sum. However, since it was wet out, it wasn't the best day to be walking around. So, we ended up hanging out at Anne & Henry's. Of course, Uli and Tanya stopped by Caffe Artigiano for coffee on the way.

Jamie is getting so big, he was crawling everywhere... and oh so close to walking!

Thanks for the visit, safe travels back to the UK!

Stylin' Babe

On Christmas Day, I did Maddi's laundry as soon as we finished opening presents so she can start wearing all of the cute stuff she got. Today, she wore the cute cord pants from Old Navy & cardigan from Mexx that Santa brought her. She also had the camel pea coat from Old Navy on when we headed out.

Other than a short walk, today was a stay-at-home kind of day... which is nice after a busy last couple of days. I took the opportunity to get caught up on posting to my blog and posting photos to FB.

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.

Merry Christmas

Maddi let out a big fart before waking up this morning, then smiled at me. Merry Christmas!

Sean, Maddi and I slept in today. Then we got up to open our stocking presents. It was a great family tradition we're starting... our first Christmas together.

Around 12.30~1pm, Sean's mom and sister came to join us and we opened presents together. And boy, were there presents! Maddi has definitely been a very good girl!

It was a big pile of wrapping paper and bows by the time we were done. I was one of those that cleaned up this Christmas... thanks to the hubby for the waterproof winter coat and boots! Now I can be dry and warm when I walk around this rainy city of ours while pushing Maddi in her stroller.

By the time we were done with opening presents, it was time to get ready to go and meet the rest of the family for Christmas dinner. This year, we did something different. We had Christmas dinner at a hotel restaurant. And I can't believe how many people go out for Christmas dinner!

Thanks for coming up from Washington, Auntie Kathy and Uncle Tom! It was great to see you!