This blah...g needs a redesign!

I've been meaning to redesign this blog for awhile, it's kinda blah isn't it? Well, I do call it a "blah...g". Every time I look at it I think how horrendous it looks and how I want to redo it, after all, I do this for a living!

So I sat down thinking I was going to do something with it, and... I'm too tired and disinterested. When that clock reads 12 o'clock, my design/coding mode is turned off and all I want to do is mindless web browsing. It's a pity, because I really should spend my time more wisely.

I hung out with a former co-worker who became a chef few months back. He said that after work he does not go home and make himself a fancy meal, he just wants a five guy or some fast food to grab on the go. Anyways, so it's just not me. Still a pity though, because this blog really sucks.

Finally, some snow!

First snowfall of 2010!

My little garden dude better hurry home if he doesn't want to freeze over!

Somebody's getting married

My sister got married today and Puppy was the ring bearer. I feared that he would just run away with the rings leaving the horrified guests behind, but surprisingly he stayed albeit the odd strutting and the swinging of the pillow (good thing the rings were tied). All in all fun was had and celebrated and best of luck to the couple!

Shinlang & Shinboo

Tiramisu cupcakes

If I'm going to be Santa, I want my cookie served in style

USA $12.95/CAN $7.95

So, I'm "Santa" this year. Hubby doesn't like shopping and when he does he doesn't shop around and that drives me nuts so I'm "Santa".

I thought to myself, "Well, if I'm "Santa" I want cookies and milk. The whole shabang and I want it in style." So I bought this plate. It's darn cute.

But look, what's up with the price tag? When did this happen? I didn't realize U.S. dollar was this weak! I guess if I'm ever going to check out the Niagara Falls, I should stay on the U.S. side?

O Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree 2010 is up!

My poor Christmas tree is showing its age. I'm pretty sure it used to have more lights than this...

Personal Branding Stamp from MaeMae Paperie

PERSONAL BRANDING STAMP

I want one. I have no idea what I would use it for at the moment though as my plan to do some free-lancing/self-employment idea is on hold right now.

Arabasque Tiles

from GardenWeb

I am in love with these tiles. All these years I thought I loved subway tiles in a white kitchen; I was wrong. I didn't even know it existed until now but soon as I saw it, it was love.

Apparently they are hand-made and is $20/sq. I'm doing mental calculations as to how much it would cost to do our kitchen.

Maybe I could take lesson in pottery and try to make my own hand-made tiles?

Seriously Mom, who do you think you are, Santa Claus?

Me: [After listing names of people to get Christmas presents for] That's a lot of people Puppy, that's a lot of money, we have to pay for them.
Puppy: Too much Mommy, too much. Just one.
Me: [Testing how altruistic he is] Just one present for Caitlin?
Puppy: Just one for Puppy AND Bunny. [I guess he's not not so altruistic...]
Me: What about other people?
Puppy: Too much Mommy, just one. You can not carry all of them.

Children's Book Week

My sister bought this during her thrifting spree for the kids.

Children's Book Week Poster by Garth Williams, 1955

 And it had this for a price tag on the back!

Outlandish price tag for a framed poster, I say.

Originally $129?! Sale price $50?! What?! Luckily she only paid $7 at the thrift store.

There's a Pottery Barn Outlet near me so I know what their labels look like so I had a suspicion it was originally from their store. I searched high and low on the Internet and I found out that it's a reprint of a Children's Book Week poster from 1955 by Garth Williams (illustrator of Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web) by Pottery Barn Kids.

Ultimate Island of Sodor Track Layout

Ultimate Island of Sodor Track Layout

I want to do this for Puppy. I don't have all the buildings, but I could just use tracks for that. I would need one more Switch-T-Track though. But I would have to wait until the boy is older. He would not appreciate the grandness of this track. Yesterday he made me take out some of the tracks on his train table because he said it was to crowded. =/

How About Them Nuts?

My eyes!!!!

I wanted to go to Dick's Sporting Goods website but didn't check google first. My eyes!!!!

Any guesses on what I typed?

How To Be: Efficient

I feel like a miracle worker

Giving it another go at potty training and it's going really well this week! Boy doesn't even want to wear his diaper! I feel like watching "the miracle worker".

Really good movie.

Pampers and diaper rash

I've switched Bunny's diapers to Pampers Baby Dry because I found an excellent deal with Amazon Mom's Subscribe and Save (seriously, so much cheaper than buying from Costco. Oh, all those money we've wasted!). Since the switch Bunny has been having really bad diaper rashes.

I read articles few months ago regarding Pampers Dry-Max and diaper rash. I haven't read anything else regarding Dry Max so I guess she's sensitive or allergic to something in Pampers diapers? I wonder if anyone else is having this problem?

Birds

Birds. A lot of them.

Don't be a one-hit-wonder!

Puppy actually told me he had to pee and peed on the potty! AND the underwear stayed dry. Oh, please don't be a one-hit-wonder!

Make the car eat

Puppy: [asking me to charge his remote control car] Make the car eat.

Why are you singing Mommy?!

My voice is gone and Puppy wants to know why I keep singing. He has not been taking me seriously all day.

Mind like a... steel trap

Apparently Puppy saw this item from Target while we were shopping there last week. His daddy exclaimed "$40!" and hence then Puppy has been calling it "Fourty Thomas" and telling us over and over again how he wants it.

He saw it on Saturday and as of Monday afternoon he's still bemoaning how he wants it. Little pup never forgets anything. Never. It's amazing and scary at the same time. Is this how it is with all two year olds?

He also says he wants a party. I'm not sure what kind of party, maybe he wants a birthday one, because last week a classmate's mom brought in cookies to celebrate his birthday (apparently his name is Emmit, he re-enacted how they sang him a birthday song). There is also two birthdays this week, on top of that there was a baby born last week. So he's definitely feeling left out.

I told him maybe we'll get the toy for Christmas and then he asked if Christmas was for Puppy. I explained how the Christmas is for Jesus and brought out his children's Bible and started reading it.

So yeah, that's how I spent this morning...

Gotta love the 2's

Puppy: put it down!
Me: say it nicely.
Puppy: nicely.

Runny Nose and Rainy Day

1. Puppy's nose is ONLY runny on the day he has to go to school. Boy is a genius. Unfortunately, he hasn't realized I've toughened up since the first day of school and will be sending him to school regardless.
2. I need a rain jacket. Unloading/loading two kids in the rain is not fun.

Thomas the Tank Engine turns 65 and my boy will get older too

{ Thomas, the cheeky little engine }

Full Steam Ahead: Thomas The Tank Engine Turns 65
from NPR

I don't know what it is about these animorphic trains, but my boy loves, loves, LOOOOVES these trains. It is sad to think that in about 4-5 years he will no longer love them and put them aside for "big boy things" like sports and fast cars and military things.

Every time I go out to a toy store or Target I check out the Thomas and Friends aisle and see if there are any good deals for Puppy. One time, I was standing there and there was a mom and her son and she's going on and on about all the trains and the boy had absolutely no interest; he wanted to check out a different aisle with Matchbox cars and something cooler. His mom had a sad tone in her voice as she said "You used to love Thomas." That is going to be me in few years and I think I too, will be very sad saying those words out loud.

Few months ago while trolling the Craigslist I saw a listing for a car motif quilt. I thought "This is perfect! It's perfect for Puppy!" and contacted the seller immediately. We met at an empty restaurant parking lot and the seller mom was explaining to me how the quilt is in really good shape, it's just that her boys are older now and wants to re-do their room in "big boy" themes like sports. They just don't care for "things that go" anymore. So sad just thinking about it. I hate sports. Hahahaha. But seriously, I got 4-5 years left before he decides he's going to be a "big boy".

Puppy plots

Puppy: I want to go for a drive on the big H [Honda] car!
Daddy: We can go for a drive when we go to pick up dinner later.
Puppy: [ Long pause ] I'm hungry! Daddy, we have to go pick up food now!


It was only four in the afternoon. Little pup is starting to figure out how he can get what he wants. Uh oh...

Research Upends Traditional Thinking on Study Habits

Research Upends Traditional Thinking on Study Habits
New York Times

Psychologists have discovered that some of the most hallowed advice on study habits is flat wrong.

Adult-like children's book author is alive and well

I had no idea Norton Juster was still alive and writing.

'Phantom Tollbooth' Creators Reunited By An 'Ogre'

www.npr.org

In the early 1960s, writer Norton Juster and illustrator Jules Feiffer created The Phantom Tollbooth, which quickly became a kid-lit classic. Now, 50 years later, the two have finally collaborated once more -- this time, on a picture book called The Odious Ogre.

Like "Three Little Pigs

Puppy: [sneezes]
Me: Bless you! Puppy sneezed?
Puppy: Yes... like "Three Little Pigs".

Baby Girl's 6th Monthday!

My baby girl is 6 months old today!

Half birthday cake!

Retro dress

Baby girl's dress from a vintage Butterick pattern

I made this dress for Bunny today. The pattern is a vintage from the 60's (maybe 70's?).

1. it was a lot of work for a very generic looking dress. it wasn't suppose to be, it was suppose to look cool and retro! next time i'll pick a cooler fabric.
2. it reminds me of "little orphan annie"
3. corduroy was a good choice, it's a very forgiving fabric since you can't really see the stitches all that well.
4. the sleeve was the most challenging, but fun part.
5. learned that my sewing machine can do ruffles, I wish i knew that before i ordered the ruffler foot.
6. not sure if Bunny will fit in it, measurement seems ok, but the zipper doesn't allow enough space to move around and that's even after I bought an inch bigger zipper than the recommended.
7. definitely can not wear this out in public.

StoryCorps

If you don't become verklemmt listening to storycorps, then you are dead inside.

Danny & Annie

Brooklynites Danny, an OTB clerk, and Annie, a nurse, remember their life together—from their first date to Danny's final days with terminal cancer. This remarkable couple personifies the eloquence, grace, and poetry that can be found in the voices of every day people if we take the time to listen. Originally an animation in two parts, here you'll see a special version that combines both parts of their story.

Kimchee takes bath

Puppy: (observing the bowl of water put aside for his kimchee) water for kimchee?
Daddy: yes, it's for colin's kimchee.
Puppy: ohhhh, kimchee take bath?

Lost my sheep

Puppy: i lost my sheep.
Me : you lost your sheep?
Puppy: i can't find it.
Me: you can't find it?
Puppy: no, it's not here.

I like Oklahoma. I like the song... Is there Nebraska? Kansas?

Puppy's song du jour: Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma"




Puppy: I like Oklahoma. I like the song... Is there Nebraska? Kansas?

-ing

Puppy: I'm baseball-ing. (says Colin as he gives me the thumbs up)


Granted he's playing golf, not baseball, I'm amused that he knows to add "ing" to a noun to make it a verb.

mond?

Puppy: i'm going to go shopping wif mond.

me: mond? mommy?
Puppy: mond.
me: you are going shopping with mommy?
Puppy: mond. like "umma".

Date night

Date night. Mommy with Puppy and Daddy with Bunny. I told Bunny to order the most expensive thing on the menu.

Diapers

Puppy has thinned out enough that he can now wear his sister's diapers (Young Lady wears size 4). This makes stocking up diapers much easier.

Big girl

young lady weighs 21.6 lbs and 26" long today. i hope she understands why i couldn't carry her more often... she barely fits in the baby sling... ow. my back.

Best compliment ever

Puppy saw my outfit and said "That's cute." and then he said "You are so handsome, Mommy." Awwwwwwwww.

Where did Annie gone? Hiding hiding hiding hiding.

Puppy: Annie! Annie! He [I] lost my Annie. Annie sad. Puppy lost it. He [I am] missing Annie! Annie gone...

few minutes later, denial:
Puppy: (pointing to a truck behind Clarabel): It's Annie!

...few minutes later to a tune of "Little Red Caboose"
Puppy: Where did Annie gone? Where did Annie gone? Hiding hiding hiding hiding.

Annie & Clarabel are two coaches from Thomas and Friends. They are identical but somehow he knew he was missing Annie and not Clarabel. I thought it was funny how he was dealing with his loss:

1. he's devastated
2. he substitutes his loss with an alike item 
3. he ponders about it.

Diaperless baby

Woke up next to diaperless Bunny with her diapers strewn everywhere around her (and her dirty diaper on the nightstand!). I vaguely recall Puppy saying he's going to change her diaper while I was sleeping.

Puppy's blanket

ok. note to self: wash Puppy's blanket when he's not looking. lots of tears. again.

Asian Pacific American Book List

Asian Pacific American Book List

List of recommended Asian Pacific American children's and young adult books.  These books have been carefuly selected by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association.  They represent the best and the broadest children's and young adult stories representing the Asian diaspora.

100 days!

Baek-il (100 days) for little Bunny today!

Bibimbop

Story about bibimbop from "Between the Lions".

Beebimpop

T-O-N-K-A. Truck.

Puppy: t-o-n-k-a. truck.

Me: No, Puppy, t-o-n-k-a. tonka.
Puppy: t-o-n-k-a. tonka. (points to his tongue) see, it says tonka.

Huggies® Jeans Diapers Hit the Streets!

This video had me laugh out loud.

Puppy Kim!

Me: Puppy, what's your name?
Puppy: Puppy Kim! (Pointing to Bunny) Bunny Kim! (Pointing to me) Mommy Kim! (Pointing to Daddy) Daddy Kim!

OVER. THEEEEEERE!!!!

Me: Puppy, where's the diaper? (not looking up)
Puppy: over there.
Me: Puppy, where's the diaper? (still not looking up and just repeating out of habit)
Puppy: OVER. THEEEEEERE!!!! (and pointing)

Total devastation

OMG. Total devastation for Puppy as his "blahnket" is getting a "bath". Lots of tears.

Homemade Paper Wall Quote Decal

I made a home made wall quote decal for under $3!
Need:

• computer to print large quote
• scissors
• spray adhesive

Directions:

• print quote from the computer
• carefully cut out the letters with scissors
• spray the adhesive to the back*
• carefully arrange the letters to the wall

* follow instructions on the spray can

If the letters don't turn out right, you can take it down again and try again.

Busted.

Puppy walked into the kitchen and said "What a mess!" I guess I should clean up a bit.

Kids crying in stereo drives me crazy-o

trying to make dinner while kids are crying in stereo is very stressful. they should seriously consider it as a torture/interogation method.

Tea's children's clothes inspired by Korea

Children's clothes inspired by Korea.

Destination: Korea

South Korea captivated us, from the bustle and color of Seoul’s city streets to the rugged, natural beauty of Jejudo, Korea’s largest volcanic island. Our Spring collection celebrates the vibrancy, beauty and balance of this extraordinary destination. Come share our journey!

I guess it's time to "puppy proof" the house

Puppy said something about water and went to the kitchen. Few seconds later he came back with a jar of water. I guess we should safeguard the refrigerator now...

First outing with two kids

First attempt at outing with two kids to the library for book reading time. Let's see how that goes...

Eat-and-poop, eat-and-poop, repeat

Changed 5 diapers within an hour. I hate the "eat-and-poop, eat-and-poop" stage...

Finally, equal priority for laundering my clothes

There are now enough pink clothes for my laundry to take equal priority. Used to be: white, blue, dark, beige/brown, color and when remembered pink.

Where have my puppy gone?

Mommy's little boy became a Daddy's little boy while Mommy was away at the hospital. Got to plan my comeback!

Puppy's 2nd birthday

my baby boy is 2 today! i've been singing "happy birthday to you" nonstop since i woke up (trying to drive to his head that today is a special day where he is no longer "one". i think it's working, he's been saying "two" when we ask him how old he is now). put the "birthday boy" pin on him and sent him off to gymboree ...with his daddy. wish i can be there with them.

Life with two kids is tough!

wow... two kids are a lot of work. it's going to be a tough year... on a side note, caitlin is back to being a 9lb baby.

Today Puppy told me he was hungry and grabbed his toys and went to the dining table to be sitted; told me his diaper was dirty; told me "lost" was scary when I was watching it on Hulu; told me he was sleepy and wanted to nap; put his snoopy down for his nap too by telling him to lie down next to him. It's amazing how much he is communicating verbally now.

Astor Piazzolla - Libertango

Puppy told me to shush when I started humming along while he was pretending to play the cello...