Happy New Year from our family to yours!

A Year in Review

Inspired by my friend, LL's Christmas "letter," I want to write down what went on 2011 for us this year...similar to every news station's Year in Review

• Sarah has the most milestones this year (of course). She learned how to crawl  late March, walk in May, feed herself in August, and talk up a storm in September. She grew all her 12+ teeth all this year! Today she is a vibrant, vocal, energetic 18-month old toddler, full of joy and silliness. 
• We went on our 1st family trip together to the Pacific Northwest (Seattle and Portland) this past July to celebrate SQ's 40th birthday.  We had a great time. 
• We welcomed a new niece to our extended family in March. Sarah's "baby girl' status only lasted for 8 months. 
• I took 4 business trips this year, which is more than I wanted:  Hawaii in March, Hong Kong in April, Paris in October, and Hong Kong again in November.
• No construction in our house at all this year...although things around the house are surely aging. Our plasma TV is broken; our mattress is getting lop-sided; our little car is due for maintenance...and the list goes on.   
• SQ is still working for the same architecture firm for past 3 years. He's leading a project for construction of a commercial building in Emeryville, which is targeted to be complete in June 2012.  
• I am still working for the same company in Downtown SF.  It will my 12 year anniversary next February. Work is still busy as ever (yes, even in December!) but excited that the Cosmetics business is doing very well in the Asian region.  I am very much looking forward to receiving my biggest bonus check (so far) next year when 2011 ends

18th Century England

I am not much of a history buff, but I really enjoying watching British movies or TV drama set during the 18th century.  I'm not sure if it's the accent, costumes, or just their way of life during that period that intrigues me.  I especially enjoy watching all the Jane Austen classics, from Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility to Emma.  Yes, I am a helpless romantic! A little less well known Jane Austen novel is called Persuasion and it is perhaps one of my favorite novels of hers.  General plot of Persuasion, from Wikipedia:

More than seven years prior to the events in the novel, Anne Elliot falls in love with a handsome young naval officer named Frederick Wentworth, who is intelligent and ambitious, but poor. Sir Walter, Anne's father and lord of the family estate of Kellynch, and her older sister Elizabeth are dissatisfied with her choice, maintaining that he is not distinguished enough for their family. Her older friend and mentor, Lady Russell, acting in place of Anne's deceased mother, persuades her to break off the match.

Now, aged 27 and still unmarried, Anne re-encounters her former fiancé when his sister and brother-in-law, the Crofts, take out a lease on Kellynch. Wentworth, now a captain, is wealthy from wartime victories in the Royal Navy and from prize-money for capturing enemy ships. However, he has not forgiven Anne for her rejection of him...and he still has hidden feelings for her...

I love the story line!  Women, during this time, only worry about getting married to a notable husband and a distinguished family. So it makes me melt inside when the heroine in the story gets to marry the man of his dreams for love AND wealth! 

Recently, I have been watching another British drama on PBS called, "Downton Abbey."  OMG. I love this show!!!  There is not a single moment in this series that does not make you wanting to see more.  The story details life in a rich family, as well as the butlers and maids who serve them.  Season I is done, and they will show Season II on January 8th on PBS. I can't wait!  Full episodes of Season I are available on pbs-video.org so watch it!!       

  

Merry Christmas!!

18 month check up

Sarah had a cry-fest during her 18-month check up this afternoon.  The moment we walked into the reception area, she began her non-stop crying.  She refused to sit on the weight bucket and she kicked and screamed. She didn't cry with her normal whiny voice, instead she cried HARD with tears rolling down her cheeks. She turned beet red and she clung to SQ like a koala  bear and would not let go.  It was one of our most difficult check ups yet.  But I guess this is normal since Sarah has great fear of strangers (she needs time to warm up) especially if they come close to her.  Ai-yah!  Thank goodness SQ was there with me!  Besides all of the crying, Sarah checked out fine!  She is gaining weight and growing exactly on the projectile curve.  Her height to weight body ratio is on the lean, slender side.  She is developing on track -

• feeding herself
• weaned off the bottle
• walking, running, walking up and down stairs
• follow directions
• knows body parts
• can ask for things with words
• peeing/pooping regularly
• knows more than 100 words

There were 2 things I brought up to the doctor's attention that I was particularly concerned about - (1) Sarah's persistent cold.  Sarah has runny nose and cough for 3 week now that never seem to go away.  Doctor checked out lungs and said they were fine.  I guess she is just getting a cold marathon! :-(  She might be recovering from one and getting another virus strand from another.  Annoying! (2) Sarah's bow-leg.  Sarah's left foot turns inwards when she walks.  This is common and it eventually goes away.  But I think it normally straightens out by 18-months. The doctor does not seem concerned, but I am.  I'm going to really keep a close eye on it...

Sarah's 18 month stats:

Weight :  24 lb 2 oz (44% tile)

Height :  33.25 inches (87% tile)

Head : 48 cm (85% tile)

 

A Letter to Sarah

My dearest Mao-mao;
Recently,

• you love the lights of our Christmas tree. Every night when we get home and the tree is lit, your smile brightens up your face and you stomp your feet with joy and excitement. No matter how many nights it has been since you've seen the tree, your expression of amazement is always as if you are seeing it for the first time.  Simply priceless. 
• you absolutely love airplanes!  You drop everything you do when you hear the sound, or see an airplane in the sky. You point to it and shout, "eh-plane!"  You even ask daddy to show you videos of airplanes on the computer.
• You are doing well in daycare. Everyday you eat all your food, nap for a good 2.5 hours and do tons of playing, learning, and testing limits. You fight for toys now...and if you are told to give it back, you will run away with the item instead...
• you still love, love, love reading books with us. In fact, you will take our hand, guide us to the sofa or chair, and literally push onto our thighs so we would sit down. Then you would climb onto our laps so we can read together!
• You love being chased. You squeal like a little piggy when one of us carries you and the other one is behind. You think that we're going to come after you.
• You know a lot of words now - single words only though.  Your favorites are : airplane (of course) moon, book, help, nai-nai (milk), poh poh (carry me), cracker, cheese...just to name a few.  
• Although you know that you are Sarah, you can not say your name.  You know how to say your classmates' names (Abby, Cole, etc) though
• You enjoy spending time in the park, which we try to take you to at least every other weekend. Your favorites are the swing and slide. You love to go HIGH on the swing, and you can go down on the slide by yourself!
• Stay silly, my little mao mao!! 

Smiling with friends, Fred the Elephant and Peter the Rabbit

Having a blast on the swing

Acting silly with all her dance moves

Having fun with daddy

What's up, Willis?

Eating Gourmet

Sarah's daycare center sends out a weekly email to all the parents with the Center's updates, staff's schedules, and every 3 weeks, the menu.  I always look forward to looking at the menu - to see what Sarah will be eating.  One of the great things about Sarah's daycare is that they have a professional kitchen and a chef who cooks meals on-site to all the classrooms.  The menu changes every 3 weeks and reflects the seasonal ingredients. The produce are mostly all locally grown and/or organic. All poultry is hormone and antibiotic free and the salmon is wild caught.  All milk are Organic from Clover Farms.  They work very closely with parents and accommodate for kids who are allergic to certain foods.  Here is Sarah's menu this week and next week!  I must say that I am jealous. They all sound so delicious! Sarah is the classroom's Little Eater.  She is usually the first to arrive at the table and the last to leave. She eats everything.  There is nothing so far (hope it stays that way) that Sarah dislikes.  Is this a reason why Sarah is not eating much during dinner?  Mommy's cooking is not up to par to the meals at daycare!??

Week of: December 12, 2011	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	PM SNACK
MONDAY	Cereal Organic Pears	Baked penne pasta w/roasted Organic butternut squash, leeks & parmesan cheese Green peas Organic Johnagold apples	Assorted crackers Organic oranges
TUESDAY	Bagels w/cream cheese Organic oranges	Spaghetti squash w/sundried tomato & fennel ragout Whole wheat biscuits Organic apples	Assorted crackers Grapes
WEDNESDAY	Scones Organic bananas	Crispy baked chicken Carrot & parsnip puree Shaved brussel sprouts Organic oranges	Assorted crackers Organic pears
THURSDAY	Whole wheat buttermilk pancakes w/pure maple syrup Organic bananas	Cassoulet beans Roasted organic carrots Cornbread Organic oranges	Assorted crackers Mixed organic fruit
FRIDAY	Chef’s choice Organic fruit	Chef’s choice	Assorted crackers Organic fruit

*Vegetarian’s only- Wednesday: tofu substitution

Week of: December 19, 2011	BREAKFAST	LUNCH	PM SNACK
MONDAY	Scones Organic apples	Miso glazed tofu Toasted brown rice Steamed broccoli Organic oranges	Assorted crackers Organic bananas
TUESDAY	Scrambled eggs Whole wheat toast w/Rachel’s jam Bananas	Organic kabocha squash & potato soup Maple cornbread Mixed Organic lettuces w/creamy avocado dressing Anjou pears	Assorted crackers Organic grapes
WEDNESDAY	Cereal Organic bananas	Lasagna w/turkey ragout Early winter salad Organic apples	Assorted crackers Organic pears
THURSDAY	Rachel’s maple granola Raisins Organic yogurt Organic apples	Chickpeas in savory vegetable broth w/ organic rainbow chard, carrots & mozzarella toast Organic oranges	Assorted crackers Organic bananas
FRIDAY	Whole wheat buttermilk pancakes w/pure maple syrup Organic fruit	Chef’s choice	Assorted crackers Organic fruit

A different view

After 18 months, we've finally decided to change Sarah's car seat from back-facing to front-facing.  In the past for many years, the American Pediatrician Association had recommended that parents leave infants in their car seats rear facing until 1 year old.  Then recently, within 1 or 2 years ago, they changed it to 2 years.  But seriously, most car seats are not designed to hold a toddler rear-facing for 2 years.  

Sarah's feet have reached the back of the seat for months now - and we've tried our best to let her stay as long as she can in the rear-facing position. But now, it has gone to the point where her legs are crunched up. So we decided to finally make the switch.  So far, Sarah is pleased with her new view.  She is positioned in the center of the car so she has the center aisle view of the windshield.  No doubt she is a happy camper. However, I must admit that getting her onto the car seat and buckling her up is no easy feat. In the past, we can carry her into the seat, have a seat ourselves next to her and take our time buckling her in.  Now, the position is awkward as we need to hover...and with the door wide open and my back facing out, I can't help but feel a sense of insecurity and paranoia that someone will attack me in the back.. or rob me, or do something malicious.  I guess I just have to train Sarah to learn how to get onto the seat herself! 

Sarah turns 18 months today!

Happy 18 month birthday, my sweet baby!  May you never lose your sense of wonder... 

Moments: Sunset on Twin Peaks

New Beauty Favorites

It has been a while since I last blogged about Beauty products. Here are some of the new products that I'm trying or have tried recently that are worth mentioning as my new favorites:

Well, ok, this is not new...but realized that I haven't mentioned it at all! This is L'Occitane #1 sku - hand cream for dry hands!  It comes in so handy this time of the year, especially in the winter. It's not greasy at all and makes your hands soft.  Plus, it smells great. Don't leave home without it!

All my colleagues in the Beauty world rave about the Giorgio Armani foundation.  I finally bought myself one (yes, you read correctly, BOUGHT one) when I was in Hong Kong. After using it, I must say I am a huge fan now too!!  First of all, there are a couple of lines (I bought the Designer Lift) and there are over10 shades to choose from, which means you are bound to find one that matches your skin. Btw, I learned that you don't find the color that matches your "hands" because people tend to put the sample on the back of your hands to try out the color.  You need to find the color that best matches your neck!! That way, you don't have a face with one color and a neck with another!  Anyways, why do I love this foundation?  Because it provides excellent coverage but yet it is light as a feather! Your face does not feel heavy or oily at all ~ plus, it's very natural-looking.   

  

I am an advocate of using eye products because I am always in a hunt to find a product that can get rid of my dark circles and eye bags.  OK, OK, I'll admit it - don't ever let anyone convince you that you can get rid of dark circles or eye bags with a skincare product.  They are lying. The only way is probably to go through plastic surgery. BUT there are products out there that can "hide" or "reduce the appearance" of dark circles.  This Estee Lauder Idealist Eye Illuminator does that job. The cream dispenses through the ceramic applicator, which is cool and refreshing around the eyes.  The cream is also slightly tinted so it can double up as a concealer. 

 This product is a 4-week program from La Prairie called the Cellular Power Infusion.  It is a double-pump that starts off "clear" like the first vial. With a twist of the cap on the bottom, a spurt of serum comes out and combines with the other ingredients (pic 2 thru 4). Then you shake it up and use the vial for a week.  There are 4 vials, so it lasts you basically for a month. You do this program once or twice a year. La Prairie is a very high end brand, but this product only sells for $450, which in their line of products, is considered a bargain.  I only used 1 vial so far.  Maybe it's my skin, but I haven't seen the results of elasticity and illumination as the product claims.  Perhaps I need to use all 4 vials?? 

I saved this one for last, because it is my favorite among all the products I wrote about here. I am IN LOVE with the new Lancome Blanc Expert Nuit (Whitening night cream).  I apply it at night and in the morning, my skin feels super soft like baby skin, and I feel like it's bouncy and full of energy. That feeling lasts throughout the entire day!  The smell is not horrible, but it is more fragrant than most of the products I use. But I am able to overlook this, because the cream gives me visibly softer and smoother skin!  The version I'm using now is the 2012 version with an updated formula, which looks a little bit different than the picture I've shown her.  This product is only available in Asia and will start hitting the counters in February 2012.