Daddy Staycation

I can't get enough of "it's a small world"

Matt took two weeks off work, so this week we've had a little staycation. It's been nice having him at home during the day, and he's been having fun spending quality time with Leah and attending her activities. We were able to go to Disneyland Tuesday, and on Thursday we got to have a mini date while Leah was in day care. We were going to watch a movie, but instead we did lunch at Doughboys {have you tried their red velvet cake? delish!} and shopping. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend, and for those in LA, enjoy the sunshine!

What's in My Diaper Bag?

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1. Diaper Bag: I used a Kate Spade diaper bag similar to this during the newborn months. I loved it because it carried all the many things I needed for a newborn. Now that Leah's older and I don't have to carry as many things, a crossbody bag has been essential. A crossbody bag allows me to kneel down, go down slides, and swing Leah without worrying about it falling down my shoulder. 

2. Pacifier: Not all mommas agree with using a pacifier, but it has been like magic for us. It instantly calms Leah when she's fussy, and it helps her fall asleep. Luckily, she seems to be slowly outgrowing it on her own, and she only uses it for her nap now. 

3. Feeding essentials: I carry a little baggie with a bib, baby scissors {it's way easier/faster to use scissors instead of a knife to cut up food}, and child size fork and spoon. I also make sure to always have water, some snacks, and hand/face wipes. 

4. Diaper essentials: I carry a pouch with a changing pad, wipes, and a couple diapers. 

5. Wallet: I carry another pouch that holds my iPhone, credit cards, cash, keys, and lip gloss. When I'm running a quick errand, I can just take that out of my bag and use it as a clutch. This way I don't have to worry about transferring items from one bag to another. 

These are the essentials that I always carry with me. Of course there's always other things in there, but if I forget one of the items above, I usually panic. What are your diaper bag essentials?

Viva Las Vegas!

We've been a little MIA from the blog, because we were in Las Vegas Sunday-Wednesay. The trip started out super rocky. Leah caught a stomach bug, and the crazy turbulence on our descent into Vegas didn't help. I got pooped and puked on all within about 10 minutes. Luckily, I was prepared and had extra clothes for all of us. Sorry to all the passengers next to us! We flew Southwest, which was our first time flying with them with a toddler in tow. It can be a little tricky since there is no assigned seating. Families with young children aren't allowed to be seated until after Group A, so it's better to try to check-in ASAP to get Group A if you want to guarantee a row with your whole party. 

We stayed at the Aria and got a really nice corner suite that had plenty of room for Leah to run around. They provided a decent pack 'n' play with sheets. The suite also came with a nice fridge so we could store some milk and food. 

That night, I also caught the bug, and I was stuck in bed almost all day Monday. Luckily, Matt was able to hang out with Leah at the pool in the morning, and my parents took her the rest of the afternoon so I could recuperate. 

While we ended up canceling our dinner reservations, we did make it out to see my Laker Girls teammate, Jeri-Faye, in Vegas! the Show. It's a cute little show that takes you back in time to the glory days of Vegas - recreating acts from Sammy Davis Jr, Elvis, the Rat Pack, and more. I'm really bummed I forgot to get a photo with her! 

Tuesday, I was on the mends, and we all hung out by the pool during the day. In the evening, we had a double date at Blue Ribbon Sushi in The Cosmopolitan. We shared the Blue Ribbon Special which had a variety of rolls, sushi, and sashimi. Delicious! 

We headed back home Wednesday, and Leah fell asleep on Matt the entire flight home. It was the first time she'd ever done that! I think all that daddy time while I was sick really helped! While Vegas with a toddler was definitely a different experience, after the sickness was gone, it was fun and relaxing. I have to thank my parents though for watching Leah for 2 nights. Waking up at 8:30am and staying in bed until 10am felt like heaven!

We have a couple more trips planned soon, so stay tuned! Hope everyone has a great long weekend! 

18 Months!

Leah is 18 months! I still think of her as my baby, but she's definitely more of a little girl - and she's a girly girl! She's cautious, dainty, and very affectionate. I bought her a kiddie stroller to push her baby doll around in, and she loves it! She also loves to explore her independence. She's the happiest when she can just roam around on her own, and she will often refuse to eat food unless she can feed herself. Here are some other updates:

• Weight: 21 lbs 10.6 oz (15%) She had a stomach bug earlier this week, so I suspect she lost some weight
• Height: 33 in (83%)
• Words: Froyo, hello, oink oink, sit, go, flower, hat, beak, hot, cold, dog, one, four, "may-me" for binky, "or there" for over there, "wa wa" for water, kix {I must admit, she's picking up new words so quickly now that I'm starting to lose track of them. I can't write it down quick enough!} 

Leah:  My little girl, I love you sooo much.  Every day I feel the bond between us growing deeper and stronger, which makes me so happy.  I love the time we spend together, getting Froyo, playing at the park, doing chores, smelling the flowers in the garden, or just relaxing in our chairs on the deck, waving at helicopters and calling at birds as they fly by.  You are still such a tiny little bugger, but getting bigger, more mobile, and more capable so quickly.  I am so impressed by how smart you are, and how quickly you develop new skills and learn new words.  Today you drank from a water bottle all by yourself and hardly spilled a drop, until we stopped to celebrate :)  You also opened and closed the bedroom door all by yourself.  You are so loving and gentle to everyone around you- I can't get enough of your smiles, hugs and kisses.  You are also a very independent and industrious little girl, and I love to hear your little feet as you go stomping from room to room.  I am so proud to be your Dada.  Happy 18 months!  

* Matt is obviously way better with his words than I am. 

* All photo by Bob Cho

Joy in the Simple Things

At the food trucks this past Wednesday, the girls were getting a kick out of their belly buttons. I laughed so hard watching them that I got an ab workout. Seeing their joy in something so simple as their belly buttons is a reminder for myself to do the same. I'll start off by saying... I found a lot of joy in my cup of coffee this morning. :) 

Hope you have a great weekend full of simple pleasures!

*all photos by Bob Cho

Over the Weekend

In San Diego (photo on left by Jennifer Kelly)

Seeing these two laugh and interact now melts my heart!

Besides Christmas, Mother's Day is now my next favorite holiday/special occasion. Birthdays just remind me that I'm getting old, and unless you tell everyone (or put it on Facebook), you can just let it pass by. 

Once you become a mother, however, Mother's Day has a totally new meaning! We started the day off at church, and every time I walked past a mom, we had an instant connection. Without saying one word, we bonded over our journey of sleepless nights, food & dirt stains, messy houses, bear hugs, and slobbery kisses. Afterwards, we walked to kitchen 24 for brunch, and on that short walk, strangers were yelling "Happy Mother's Day!" to me! Then at the restaurant, we were happily surprised by getting my meal for free! In the afternoon, we headed to my brother's for a family BBQ. My dad and brother cooked, and Matt watched/played with the kids so that the moms could relax. Besides feeling appreciated and loved by my family, being appreciated by strangers is a reminder how important moms are to our society. 

Yay for moms everywhere!

Happy Mother's Day!

Photo by Bob Cho

I hope all the moms, grandmas, and moms-to-be have a great Mother's Day! Matt asked me what I wanted to do for Mother's Day, and my only response was to not do any work! :) Being a mom has been the hardest job as well as the most rewarding. Just when I feel the most exhausted, Leah gives me the biggest hug ever and I'm in heaven. 

What do you have planned for Mother's Day? We're going to spend Saturday in San Diego with Matt's family, and then we'll be with my family Sunday.  

And last but not least, Happy Mother's Day to my mom!

My Little Helper

Hellobee had a great post regarding chores even for toddlers. Besides cleaning up her toys, Leah doesn't really have any other chores specifically assigned for her to do, but I'm definitely going to start that. Leah's at a fun age right now where she wants to copy us, so she'll help me put clothes in the washer, put items in the trash can, dust/sweep the floors, and this past weekend, she helped wash the car! I love watching her imitate us, and hopefully, these tasks keep entertaining her for a long time! 

Maybe I'll teach her how to make the bed next?? :)

Happy Friday!

Eat at The Service Station. Photo by Bob Cho; Radio Flyer Car Here

It's feeling more like Summer this week, and we spent a lot of time out of the house! 

OMG Smore's Melt with maple bacon marshmallow filling from The Munchie Machine. AMAZING! 

We spend most Monday evenings at the food trucks in Los Feliz, and now we discovered another food truck day on Wednesdays at The Service Station! We usually meet up with friends, and the kids have fun hanging out and exploring. With the days being longer and warmer, food truck evenings are such a nice treat. 

Pretty much everyday after dinner, Leah went outside on the deck to play with dirt. 

Wednesday, I took Leah to a gymnastics class, and she loved it! I was unsure how she would do, especially since the instructor was a guy, but even though she didn't want to do a couple of activities with the instructor, she had fun running, jumping, and sliding down all the equipment. 

I need to figure out what to do with those bangs! Cut it or keep growing it out?

And today Leah decided that she will only eat her apple like a big girl. It's currently 90 degrees in LA, so I think I'll finish off the week by heading out to a pool. 

Hope you had a great week! What are your weekend plans?