New Years with a Newborn

This year we won't be getting all dressed up and dancing the night away. Instead we will be comfy in our PJ's enjoying a movie by the fire. We will defiantly be up into the wee hours of the night since my son likes to eat at least once every three to four hours. First resolution of the new year get at least 5 hours of sleep at one time!

Holiday Traditions

Ti's the season to celebrate and participate in our favorite holiday traditions. Growing up we did a lot of holiday things; baked cookies, made gingerbread houses, drove around looking at Christmas lights and of course watched A White Christmas. Now that we are starting our own family we talked about what traditions we will do. One tradition that we did start as a new couple was always going for dinner at Icon Grill and having a piece of Candy Cane Cake. Since this year we didn't get a chance to make our annual holiday dinner my husband didn't want the tradition to be broken. Last night he surprised me with a piece of Candy Cane Cake and a glass of milk.

Sleep Eat Repeat

It's been two weeks now since our little guy came home. We are all adjusting to new schedules and have been very thankful for all the support from our friends and family. I'm getting used to this three hour feeding schedule and catching as many naps as possible. If only I had a room like this to nap the afternoon away.

photo from Architectural Digest

Nesting

That's right it's true what they say every pregnant women goes through her nesting period. I've been doing some serious nesting these last few months. Cleaning closets out, purging old clothes and of course prepping the babies room. The one thing they don't mention is how tired you get from doing just a simple task. I find myself needing to take many breaks along the way. Luckily, my husband has been a huge help with everything.

One of the biggest accomplishments was changing a window seat my aunt had designed at age 16 into our changing table. Yes, this window seat has been in the family for many years, I actually had it in my room as a little girl. Luckily for us my grandma keeps everything and it was screaming to come back to Seattle for major makeover.

before

after

32 weeks and counting

I know it has been a few "seasons" since I posted anything but I have been busy. Between work, house, friends, and preparing to have a child blogging never makes the cut. Yes, that's right my husband and I are expecting our first child. A little boy!

More to come I promise.

Spring Bling

Last Saturday I attended a fun Stella & Dot trunk show, where I purchased this fun new ring. I think this will be the perfect accessory for the summer weddings I will be attending this year. This is my second ring from Stella & Dot and I don't know what I like better the rings or the cute little boxes they come in.

A New Couch

Birthday weekend has come and gone, but I still have one gift coming.

We finally did it! After much debate we purchased a couch for the living room. We have been eyeing this style of couch for years. The one thing that always held us up was the price. Luckily thru many lunches spent blog reading. I came across the couch guy. Fantastic service, made to order products and great prices. In two months the living will finaly get new seating.

Birthday Weekend

What a fun surprise to already have received a few birthday wishes in the mail. I was especially surprised to have received a birthday card from my grandmother two day's early. I love my Grandma Betty but she is notorious for getting cards into the mail a few days past the celebration date. I was especially touched that see sent me a birthday card that was once my great great grandmothers.

We all think it is crazy that my grandma keeps everything from the past but really she is saving memories of our family's history. However, I think she can throw out the old church bulletins.

Thank you Grandma for the lovely birthday wishes!

Focus on the moment

Yeah it's Wednesday, and the week is almost over. I am looking forward to a weekend of entertaining my parents. For now I need to stay focused on my many work tasks that need to be completed between now and Friday.
If only this room was more than a small photo hanging next to my computer.

In need of a Spring Break

Apologies to the few people who read this blog. Life has been busy and blogging is always at the bottom of my to do list. I admire those who post daily.

This year is flying by and I am starting to miss the days when life came to a stop and you could take a "break". The option is still there but now it is planning in advance and requesting time off and knowing that upon your return you will be faced with that much more work to catch up on.

For now I will work planning 2011's beach break, because 2010 is all about the staycations!

Spring = Spring Cleaning

Since this is one of the first weekends of the year that we didn't have a lot of plans, we took advantage and spent the weekend catching up on house projects. I am please to report not only did shelves and closets get reorganized, I can walk into my office again.

a better way to keep all my shoes organized

Unfortunately, I had let my office become a dumping ground from random stuff. It doesn't help that there is no closet in this room.

All is better now. A new desk was added and storage was moved around. There is still a lot of things I want to do or should I say buy, but tonight it looks much better.

new office layout

A Love Story

My grandparents were married in 1950 my grandmother was 21 and my grandfather was 24. This past weekend we celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. It was a celebration with friends and family in the small town of Wilder, Idaho. The place they have called home for the last sixty years.

I admire my grandparents for all their accomplishments big and small. It is not everyday that you get to meet a couple who share such a long life together.

Dessert

Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Coulis Drizzle

Favorite Things

I am back in the City of Rain! OK so it hasn't really rained that much since I have been back, but I finally get to wear my new rain boots. This was one of my favorite Christmas presents.

These work great to keep my feet dry when I occasionally walk the dog and I love that they have a real cowboy boot heel.

If you're thinking cowboy/rain boots? I do have country roots, and in my opinion these are a great blend of city and country. I am sure my cousin would just roll her eyes at my new boots....but come on wouldn't these make fantastic irrigating boots!

Farewell Hong Kong

Feeling like a Local

Today was a good day. It is surprising how fast the time goes in the office. I think it is because the entire office leaves for lunch and you actually get some time away from the computer screen. I really need to do that more when I get back to Seattle.


This evening I ventured out and did some window shopping, and yes mom I went all by myself with out any worries! The great thing about Hong Kong is everything is open late and there are always lots and lots of people out, so you never feel alone. Until I stopped for some dinner then I felt a little sad asking for a "table for one". The hostess was nice and brought me a magazine while I waited for my food so I didn't look completely pathetic just sitting there.


The second good and bad thing about Hong Kong is there are some beautiful clothes but my large American bones do not necessarily fit. I suppose it's a good thing because these items are not at "bargain" prices.

Hong Kong Shop Front Design

Spent the day walking the streets of Hong Kong admiring the different shop front designs. It was surprising to see so many stores using reclaimed materials and trash that is transformed into art.

Back in Hong Kong

I have finished the first half of my three week travels. I have never walked through so many metal scanners and security check points in one week before. Indonesia is a city full of check points. One thing that has been interesting is how the security varies from country to country.

Indonesia

the view from my hotel room

outside of Jakarta

Curried cow brain...yes I did eat some!

Just a few photos from Indonesia. I have spent a lot of time in the car stuck in "jams". Tomorrow it is back to Hong Kong.

Last Day in Malaysia

Today was a bit of a free day before we fly to Jakarta. My manager and I were able to take a day trip to Cameron Highlands. It is about four hours outside of KL and the last hour is a two lane windy road up the mountain. It was beautiful we were able to see strawberry farms, eat some local food, and visit a tea plantation. The tea plantation was the highlight. It was amazing and very hard to capture the experience in a photo. But I leave you with a few shots from today.

Malaysia

A view of Petronas towers while stuck in traffic

Fish Head Curry, No Eye balls for me!

Flight to KL

The trip has continued on to Kuala Lumpur.
It was an interesting flight, today was the first time I experienced the interior of the plane being "sprayed down" before we landed. We were informed that this "spray" was safe, but if we wore contacts we should keep our eyes closed and remain closed for at least 30 seconds after. It was also suggested to cover your mouth and nose. When the announcement came on I instantly thought that these shower heads would be lowered from the ceiling and start spraying us down. Well it wasn't that at all. Basically the flight attendant walks up and down while misting the overhead compartments with the "safety" spray.
The second item I found interesting was that the in flight video screens broad casted the landing of the plane. There was a camera that was behind the front wheels so you got a birds eye view as the plane descends into the airport. I found this entertaining given the current security measures in place.

New Year New View

My new year has started off with a three week business trip in Asia. First stop Hong Kong.....tomorrow it is off to Malaysia.