Happy Birthday, Grandauntie Yee Chai!

One of our very few family pictures...We gather to wish (grand) Auntie Yee Chai a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope that it was a day filled with lots of love, fun and contentment! Wish we could be there to celebrate with you, but we had a little celebration in your honor here...

Excuse my crazy hair...We just woke up...

A closer look at the cake...That's whipped frosting. Yum.

Made by dear husband...Don't you just love a guy who's handy with both power tools AND kitchen tools? I know I do...I can't pipe a cake to save my life.

It's a triple layer cake (chocolate-yellow-chocolate) with fresh strawberries in between the layers

He made cupcakes too

Don't you wish you were here? =D

And just because I love baby feet...

Happy birthday!

Our Mom-and-Pop-Photography-Shop Photo Session

Stats:

Weight: 17lbs 8.5 oz

Height: 26.5"

6 Months!!!

Where has time flown? I can't believe that Isabel is now 6 months. Before I know it, it'll be time for me to kiss her goodbye and she'll be off to catch the bus to school...=(

She's trying so hard to crawl, she's sitting up much longer without any support, and she's definitely an inquisitive little lady.

Happy half birthday, baby girl. Mommy loves you with all her heart.

To celebrate this, we had a little photo session this morning. Here's a little preview:

Project Update

For the past month and a half, we've been veeery sloooooowly chipping away on our house projects. Now that she is slowly starting to revert back to her "good" sleeping habits, it's left us time during the weeknights to tackle what needs to be done.

To those who are perceptive, I added a list to the right of this blog a few months ago, detailing what I'm focusing on...Some of the items on that list have been to add cabinets to the empty corner in our kitchen...Voila!

I swear that I had a skip in my step for days after it was all installed...now there's actually space...REAL dedicated space for our pots and pans.

Also on our list is to refinish our basement. We plan on dividing the space into four distinct functions. The storage room is done - we are now working on the family room portion.

We just finished tiling the floor Friday night. Woohoo!

All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up...

Isabel has been hard at work, practicing for this astounding performance. In fact, she was so into it, I had to steady her halfway through as she looked like she was about to crash headfirst into the piano...

And because I think it's so darn cute, and it makes my mother cringe at the mess, here's another feeding video...Notice the cereal all over her ear and hair....hehehehe...

Are Those...

TEETH???!!!

5 months 25 days

The Trials and Milestones from Month 5

Stats -

Weight = 16 lbs 12.5 oz

(How did we get to have a weigh in? Because she contracted another ear infection. Fun times)

Milestones:

She's now on rice cereal and she's feeding herself...well, kinda.

It does make for a VERY messy baby afterwards though...

With 5 months under her belt, she now has her own set of wheels. Watch out world, there's no stopping this little lady!

She's got the rolling round and around down pat. So gone are the days where you can leave her in Spot A and expect her to still be there. And the real trouble is going to start soon, as she's now scootching (is that a word?) her butt, trying to crawl.

Trials:

She's now very well aware of her surroundings. So much so that when I or my husband leaves the room with her alone, she starts wailing. And I mean wailing.

She's also decided that our bed is THE place to be at night and will proceed to scream until we pick her up and put her next to us, which she will then snuggle up to either one of us and close her eyes. It's cute, but in some other ways, not so much.

Last night was the first night in a veeery long time where she:

(a) fell asleep in her crib

(b) stayed asleep (this is key) for more than 10 seconds. She actually slept for 3 hours. So it was a surprise. (hahahhha - this is me laughing maniacally - to think that I'm ecstatic over 3 hours of sleep....she used to go for a full 8 hours at 2 months)


`

Take a Guess....

What is this?

Anyone?

That is my dog, trying to hide under the bed because there's a storm outside.

Score!

For those who have not heard of One Kings Lane, it's a site that sells some of the finest home furnishing brands at up to 70% off retail. I just bought 8 crystal wine glasses for a fraction of what it would have cost if I've bought them at retail...these might just be ticket to have me trade my OJ to a more...adult-friendly beverage.

Happy Mother's Day!

To me, to my mom, my grandmother and all the other moms out there!

To celebrate my first ever Mother's day, I bought something for both myself and in the long run, Isabel. (I love how I can justify my shopping...This necklace? Oh, it'll be for my daughter...This $3000 bag? Oh, it'll be an investment piece for Isabel...That $200 facial? Oh, that's so that Isabel won't scream in fright when she sees me...Come to think of it, maybe a facial wouldn't be such a bad idea after all, as you will see at the end of this post)

A necklace with an "I" that I can wear, so that I will have her with me all the time. When she's 10 years old (Or 12, I haven't decided yet), it's hers to wear.

Isabel came home that Friday clutching a bottle of Inniskillin...Apparently she thinks I need some "chill time"...Daughter did good as that's my fave...However, since I'm still breastfeeding, I'm now resorted to staring at the bottle while pounding my head on the table because I can't have any (have you seen the alcohol content of these ice wines??!!)

The lovely ladies at daycare helped Isabel plant a flower in my honor and there was the cutest card made out of her hands and feet. Now I'm tempted to bust out the water colors and do a project too...something like the one Lucas did for his mom over in "And Baby Makes 5!"...Since I pretty much have black thumbs, at least my house will have one guaranteed flowering pot that's not dead, on it's way to being dead, or trying to inch its way out of my house so that it won't end up dead.

As for my day, it was great! The weather was absolutely gor-ge-ous, more so considering the fact that the whole of last week was just gloomy and crummy with rain. I got to sleep till 10.30am, and woke up to breakfast all prepared...My husband even planned for lunch (although perhaps this whole making the meals thing isn't really his forte, as he ended up with a wretched stomach and was heaving constantly later that night)

Our lovely tree in the backyard was in full bloom

Breakfast -- not on Mother's day - I forgot to take a picture...this was from the week before. Yes, my husband started "pampering" me the week before. I'd like to think that it's because he appreciates how much I've done, but I have a strong suspicion it's because he didn't want to hear me complain....Hmmm....

A lovely all-American lunch to accompany the beautiful day outside (And no, that's not my beer, although I can't say that I didn't try to lick the bottle. Hey, it's been a LONG dry season for me. Don't judge.)

Even Isabel wanted a bite! We'll be starting baby food soon...I'm excited!

And the best thing was that he helped me finish a project that I've been meaning to start over a year and a half ago, but finally got the motivation (complete with instructions via "Life in the Fun Lane") and actually completed it in record time.....And to boot, we rearraged the whole guest room so it looks a little more finished (Again, I'm on a home decorating kick, which explains why I'm constantly droning on and on about it here)

Excuse the baby...

She has to catch up on her reading...

We still need a rug, and I'm toying with the idea of making an ottoman for seating, instead of having the accent chair (which, btw, my mom said it looks like a bed...I'm guessing she's not a fan? Pity I've already finished the cover for the other chair....) If so, then we'll revamp the full-length mirror that we already have to go into that corner.

But all this was done with what we already have...only expenditure was for the fabric and the batting, which cost about $30. Not too shabby! Until I've saved enough to warrant this lovely from Pottery Barn:

This will do. Hope it was a good one for all my (three) readers! And yes, I am aware that I look no better than something that the dog dragged in...but isn't that the core requirement of deserving a great Mother's Day? It's like my badge of honor, and I am wearing...looking... it proudly

4 Months Old (3 weeks ago!)

Stats:

Weight - 15 lbs 12 oz (96th percentile)

Length -- 26" (99th percentile)

We had a visit to the doctor's when Isabel turned four months (back in mid-April --- Yes, I'm lagging) and she got her measurements taken.

When I expressed my concern about her not growing, the doctor laughed. I think he found me quite amusing. According to him, she's the size of a small 9 month old. And he asked me what size clothes she was wearing.

I was a little sheepish to admit that I've still been stuffing her in the same clothes from 2 months ago.

So when I got home that day, I packed up all of that and moved on to the next size. Because admittedly, it was getting more and more difficult to button her up. Not because she's hefty. But because she's long. Matter of fact, I was so excited that the weather was finally getting warmer that I pulled out a brand new romper (one of my rare clothing purchases for her), but to my dismay, it didn't FIT. The sizing stated that it was for 3-6 months but I couldn't button up around her diaper. Gah.

Goes to show that it really isn't necessary to buy a ton of clothing when babies are younger than the age of 1, since they grow like weeds.

Slip Into Something...

Lately, I've been on a roll to change the decor of our house...Or rather, I'm finally starting to focus on doing SOMETHING to the house that will prevent it from looking like one of those "Befores" on the HGTV shows. (We are still trying to transition out of that "poor college kid" rut)

Since we live less than a quarter mile from the beach, it's only appropriate that our house should reflect an environment that's airy, carefree and relaxing. Enter the color white.

So as part of this transformation in the living room, while paying attention to the fact that we are on a strict budget this year, I've tried my hand at sewing some slipcovers for our accent chairs that we bought last year (hence, I can't really just junk them and get new ones)

BEFORE

First attempt

Cost of fabric - $20

Verdict - Ugly as heck

Second attempt

I dug out one of the flat sheets from my linen drawer and tried again. Just because. (I don't like failure)

Changed the design slightly, and I thought it came out much better. Ahhh...sigh of contentment.

However, I just realized that the chair is too big for the space that I was going to move it to...So I now have to make a second slipcover if it's to stay in the living room.

Crap.

A New Train of Thought

For the last couple of days, I've been feeling under the weather. No, I don't mean in terms of health. Well, at least not physical health.

See, my husband and I have decided - or more accurately, I've decided, and my husband was stuffed into the train, bound and gagged - that 2009 is the year of saving. Because we are now responsible for a kid. And therefore, it's not prudent for us to spend without really thinking it through.

Meaning, that translates to a Chanel-less year for me. And that's put me in a very bad mood at times when I can't buy what I want, when I want.

What does one do about it? I purge.

After loading the entire Murano's truck space with stuff to be taken to Goodwill, I felt much better. Because even though I can't buy what I want, at least I was rid of stuff that I DON'T want. So that there's now space, glorious space that shall wait patiently to be filled.

(Although I am THIS close to junking our couch of 5 years to the curb...Considering the fact that we probably won't be buying another couch until next year, this "cleansing" tendency of mine is borderline dangerous)

O.M.G....

Has anyone tried these??

Cadbury Caramel Eggs

(photo from Candywarehouse.com)

Or am I the last one on the boat/wagon/list again? I know that people rave about the creme eggs, and I've tried those....(it was not my cup of tea) so I was somewhat sceptical of buying anymore from the "egg" line. But these were on clearance after Easter and my husband threw them in the cart just for the heck of it.

I am not sure if I should kiss him or smack him on the head...because I'm hooked. But they can no longer be found as it's an Easter only item. And my daughter's tummy does not like it when I consume any dairy product.

Looks like I'll have to really savor the last one...but come next year, the Easter bunny better watch out. As I'll be attacking him until he releases every.single.last. caramel egg he has hiding in his burrow.

Targetatitis...or is it Target-phoria?

Targetatitis (tar-get-a-ti-tis) - definition: the love of Target stores...symptoms include going into said store with the intention of buying just one item, but comes out with an armload of stuff.


Is anyone else affect by this? Although I definitely came out with more than my $5 original item (all additional items were baby stuff, so I suppose I really didn't go against my shopping ban), I was really excited to try this out with Isabel because she is SO over laying down on her back. The Bumbo seemed like it would be a hit with her...

And what made it even sweeter is the fact that one of the moms at Isabel's daycare saw the box in my car when I was loading her up, and she offered her extra one to me, for free! How nice is that?

And review-wise, Isabel seems to love the seat....

From the living room... where she can play with her toys and keep them within her reach...

To the kitchen....where she can rummage through her Easter basket, and I can cook dinner


She can now sit without us assisting her, and she's loving her independence.

Happy (Belated) Easter

Yes, I know...I'm a week late. At least these pictures were taken before Easter.

Hope it was a good one.

Let There Be (Pretty) Light

Thanks to the very helpful Holly, we finally have the chandelier up in the nursery. It's only been, oh...6 months. Better late than never, I suppose.

There Was a Duck, a Pig and a Dog...

Isabel is really starting to interact, and she's now understanding the fact that her hands are hers. She's LOVES all the stuffed toys that she has. She really lights up when she sees them and will start chattering away at them.

Some of her pals: meet Ms.Piggy, Mr. Quack and her miniature Buddy Boo-Boo (who's a splitting image of the real Buddy Boo-Boo, don't you think?)

And lets not forget Bo-Bo the monkey. Eating them is also high on the entertainment list.

We Are There

I found my old Ipod recently and I started listening to it. As the songs were shuffling through, "Graduation" started playing. Now, this is the song that was released during my graduating year from high school. So there are lots of memories associated with it. And listening to the lyrics, "And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives, Where we're gonna be when we turn 25", well, we are there. Where have the years gone? It's been 9 years. Almost a whole decade. It sounds like a long time ago, but the memories are still fresh in my mind.

How does life compare to what we thought it'd be? Are we living the way we thought we would? For me, personally, my life now is definitely far from the picture of what the 17-year-old me conjured. I definitely did not think that I'd be married, with a kid.

I do admit that there are times when I'd think, "what if?" and I admit that there are times where I'd wish that "if only...". However, as a whole, I have no major regrets. My baby is the light of my life. My husband is my rock, my best friend (although there are times that he's more of a PITA than anything else). Although I wish that we live closer to family, we are lucky enough to have stable jobs, a house, and all other material things that society deem important. And for that, I am grateful.

And all the things that I've agonized about as a teen...I now look back with a rueful smile and a shake of my head. Those things are truly trivial. Insignificant. Frivolous. But at that time, it felt like it was life or death.

I'm glad that I've grown up enough to realize it.

"Graduation (Friends Forever)"

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives

Where we're gonna be when we turn 25

I keep thinking times will never change

Keep on thinking things will always be the same

But when we leave this year we won't be coming back

No more hanging out cause we're on a different track

And if you got something that you need to say

You better say it right now cause you don't have another day

Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down

These memories are playing like a film without sound

And I keep thinking of that night in June

I didn't know much of love

But it came too soon

And there was me and you

And then we got real blue

Stay at home talking on the telephone

And we would get so excitedand we'd get so scared

Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair

And this is how it feels

As we go on, we remember all the times we had together

And as our lives change from whatever

We will still be friends forever

So if we get the big jobs

And we make the big money

When we look back now

Will our jokes still be funny?

Will we still remember everything we learned in school?

Still be trying to break every single rule

Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?

Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?

I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye

Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

We will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?

Can we survive it out there? Can we make it somehow?

I guess I thought that this would never end

And suddenly it's like we're women and men

Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?

Will these memories fade when I leave this town

I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye

Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

Her Roots Are Showing

Back in February, we visited a couple that we met at the birthing classes to introduce our babies to each other. This little boy is 2 days older than Isabel.

In this picture, you can really tell that Isabel is of mixed-ancestry. She looks Chinese to me.