Belen's First B'day!

Kay, Belen, Malu - Happy 1st Birthday Belen!Awww look at her go!


Lots of children were in attendance and the play room was full of toys for the little ones!
Momma and baby taking a mini break, Belen snacking on a rice cracker.
Belen had a little bit of a cold, she was getting a little tired. Belen & Raquel, Malu's sister in law.
Sitting pretty. Isn't she such a beautiful child? :)
Happy Birthday Belen.
Blowing out the candle.
Baby Belen has fallen asleep. It was a long day for little Belen and Malu gave her a little bit of Tylenol for her sniffles.

Malu held Belen's 1st Birthday at the West Side Family Place on West 11th. She rented out the bottom half of the house which in daytime houses child care. The room was filled with toys and items for the little ones running around. Although Kay was one of the older children, she enjoyed watching and playing with Belen. There were lots of wonderful foods and desserts. A really nice place to hold a birthday party! Happy Birthday Belen!

Baby Leo comes for a visits!

This is my dear friend, Robyn, who just had her baby boy (8 weeks ago). Baby Leo Maxwell, he's such an adorable little guy. At 8 weeks, he weighs 13 lbs and is 23" long. Yes, he is a big little guy but such a cutie. He's a very good baby, slept through the two hour visit but made some really great little faces and he did open his eyes briefly so I did get a glimpse of his baby blues....

Kay and Jessa. I can't believe how much Jessa has grown! She's 5'6", one more inch and she'll be at my natural height! She's becoming such a young lady, time just flies by. I remember when Jessa and Kay were at the same afterschool care. It doesn't seem that long ago....

Leo is so precious, he's going to be a heartbreaker. Isn't he just the sweetest baby to look at? I love how babies smell, so fresh, innocent and sweet. The moment I held him in my arms, my paternal extincts almost kicked in... almost.... :)

Dinner...

PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA!! Yummy, one of our best ones yet! Whole wheat thin crust, topped with black peppered salami, mushrooms, onions, and mozza cheese....mmmmm......

Erin at 32 weeks!

Free Night!

I just got a call from H.M. at Opus Hotel telling me I get ONE FREE NIGHT at their boutique hotel! Sweeeeeet! I can book it anytime, send an email the week before and she will arrange everything. Just a little thank you for arranging a lunch and tour with the ladies in my office for the Opus. This hotel is beautiful, it feels like a condo not like a hotel and Opus blends into Yaletown scene very nicely. It's trendy and chic, this is the place where some super stars stay and you can star gaze out the windows because Yaletown is where the super stars like to hang. This could not come at a better time because I was thinking about booking R and I into one of these rooms the next time he is in town. Although it's a little pricey (yes even with our company rate), I thought it would be very nice for the both of us to get some alone time. I think it's well deserved and worth the money :) So excited!!

Spring Fever!

n.

A feeling of languor or yearning brought on by the coming of
spring.

Welcome to the First Day of Spring! (10:26AM Vancouver, BC time)

We are having some amazing weather for the first day of spring! Today it’s sunny and slightly warm (not downtown though, too close to the ocean); a great day to go out for a walk at lunch. While wandering the streets in downtown, soaking in as much sun as I possibly could, I ended up a flower stand and picked up some beautiful tulips and iris to brighten up our living room. But my vase is a little small so I separated the bunches and added some flowers in my room. It will be a real treat to wake up to them in the morning. I hope to see them in bloom when I wake up.

Today, I also received my book order, a book of ideas for scrap booking. I’m so excited and I can’t wait to go through it. Although, I don’t scrap book, there are many ideas in there for pages and I love putting my photos on pretty paper and decorating the photo with glitz and glam to display on my walls. I usually use the glass photo frames to frame my photos and with what I will learn in the book, I hope to incorporate them into my wall photos. Very exciting, I cannot wait to start. First, I have to organize and clean up our art centre (dining room with a table and loads of arts & craft supplies). Kay has been terrible at keeping our table organized and neat. I guess I will try to work on cleaning that area this weekend.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and receiving as much beautiful weather as we are here in Vancity!

Spring Cleaning!

Sheesh... I'm tired. Today, I decided to give myself a head start on Spring Cleaning! I probably cleaned for about 4 hours and I didn't finish the whole place, just the living room, kitchen and hallway. Blah. Maybe this weekend, I will clean the rest of the apartment. Not fun.

Saturday Shopping

I AM SO TIRED. For the most part of the day, I went shopping with my Mom and my Little Brother. My Little Brother is still out of work and we try to help him out once in a month. Mom and I took him grocery shopping and he got enough to last a couple of weeks. Gosh, he is smart, he picks up all the good stuff when we are the ones paying for it.

On another note, I almost bought an Ipod, Mom and I went to Future Shop and Best Buy to look for a portable USB mini drive because Mom wants one. I was looking at the MP3 players (yes, I'm still looking even though I already bought a replacement) and Best Buy had the 30GB Ipod Video on sale for $379.99. That's an ok price but I wanted to check out the prices at Future Shop. We headed over to FS and they had a clearance Apple Ipod (open box) for $299.99, I thought Best Buy's Price was $279.99 so I told the FS guy that at Best Buy, they were advertising it for $279.99 and he said no way, really? I said yeah. He told me he would beat their price and sell it to me at a better price, $249.99. I told him that BB had new ones for that price and he said no way! And to get my sale, he told me I could have it for $229.99. Although, it's an open box item, the 1 year warranty is still valid and I know how good Apple is at replacing their defective items. Even though that was such a steal of a price. I could not bring myself to buy it even at that price. Such a deal and I was able to knock $70 off the price.... But it's MADE IN CHINA and I could not convince myself to buy it. Oh well.... I am hoping Sony will bring out something really really really good. I'm still a Sony girl by heart...

World Map

Today, I purchased a World Map for our reference. R travels all over the world and it's nice to be able to track all the places he's been. The map is HUGE and it looks so cool on our wall. Thank goodness it covers the whole area above the couch as I have been debating about what kind of art I should place there but with the map there, it's no longer white. I was looking for a medium size map but when I saw the huge ones on the wall, I could not resist. I wanted a BIG ONE! The whole world up on our wall is very fascinating.

Happy St.Patrick's Day

A time to celebrate and drink lots of Guinness :)

There is a little gathering at Steamworks after work. Kay is gone for the whole weekend so I figured, why not? It will be fun! Pictures to come....

Dinner

Tonight, I ended up having dinner with my Mom and Grandma because I have a software program on my PC that can file your income taxes and I filed my Grandma’s. Dinner was going well until after we finished eating and my Mom decided to make a comment about my little tummy. HEY! We just FINISHED dinner of course I'm going to have a little tummy. My Mom always says these little things to me and usually, I let it go past my head. But for some reason, I could not let this comment slide off. I told her that yes, I may have gained a tiny bit of weight but it’s not real weight because I was bloated last week (PMS). Ok maybe some of the chocolate ice cream and BBQ potato chips stuck around but it wasn’t like I over eating and gaining 100 pounds per week!! Anyways, I told her I was going to start swimming this weekend. R has a pool in his condo and I’m thinking about swimming for 30 minutes every week, yes it’s not much but it’s a start. Baby steps…. She wanted to come along and swim with me until I stated I would be going EARLY. VERY EARLY. She can’t go to the gym or do any sort of activity without having someone go with her. I on the other hand, prefer to work out alone. I don’t need someone to keep me company because it’s not a social outing, it’s a WORKOUT… I called it an early night and headed home. Still feeling kinda crappy though…. No more dessert….

Weekend

Saturday

Hanging out with Mom

Although I had a migraine and was still a little sore from Thursday night, I went over to see my Mom and Grandma's place. Kay had to visit as well since she has not been there in a month. I insist that she should see her Grandma and Great Grandma at least once a month.

We had to go to the YVR to see if the confiscated nail scissors were still at the airport. Last December, when they were trying to get on the plane with nail clippers, customs confiscated them and told her they would mail them back to her. But she never received them so we assumed they were still holding them. Yep, they were. Apparently, these are irreplaceable. Since, we were already in Richmond, we headed over to this shop which specializes in a whole lot of Asian goodies and Petcetera to look at the pets. Then we headed back to MomÂ’s for dinner and that was pretty much it.

Sunday

Kay was stuck at home doing her chores while I headed out for a snack and a drink with Jasmine. We caught up on stuff and it was nice. I knew some things were going on in her life and knew when she was ready to talk to me, she would. Kay rang me on my cellphone to tell me that she could go over to Lucia's for a sleepover today. We have been trying to plan this sleepover for weeks, her parents are a little sketchy, not able to make the decisions on if she could go over there or not. Since Kay was very excited to head over there, she called me every 25 minutes. Jas and I decided to head back (we were only a block away from home) and pick Kay up so we could drop her off in Richmond. Yes, I was just in Richmond the day before. We headed out to Richmond and dropped Kay off. We decided to hit the shopping mall (Richmond Centre) and I picked up a few cute tank tops from Old Navy and a pair of causal Friday pants from Jacob Connexxion. Tired of shopping, we decided to head back Vancouver and pick up Thai for dinner (the best Thai in Vancouver). We also stopped by Rogers Video to pick out a movie. We decided on Water and it was excellent. This movie was highly acclaimed and did very well in the Toronto International Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival. Last year at the VIFF, we tried to catch this film but the timing for the show did not suit any of us. It's a really good movie, if you get a chance GO RENT IT AND ENJOY. After the movie, we both called it an early night and I headed home to finish up my chores (some of) and finish up my Grandma's taxes. You know you are getting old when you call 8.30ish a late night ;)

Too Rich Food....

OMG. VERY BAD. All the yummy food I had last night came out this morning.....

Or maybe it was the bottomless glasses of beautiful red wine. I have not ever felt like this. Maybe a few times when I was in my late teens and early 20s. I am so ill. But on the good side, I caught up on all my sleep.

I didn't realize you could get a hang over from red wine. I have been able to hold down a bottle by myself but I didn't have it with rich rich appetizers.

Ok, migraine coming back... heading back to the couch....

Hotel Georgia

Tonight, we had a huge celebration! Ok no not really but it was an excuse to get together have some great wine and yummy appetizers hosted by the best hotel in downtown, Hotel Georgia.


Appy Bar with prawns, cheeses, crackers, and fruit.... not included at the bar were some yummy mini crab cakes, scallops in a white wine sauce and a couple more items that I cannot remember at the moment....


Cheers! Karli and Val enjoying a glass of wine and some yummy appys.

Malora, our wonderful hostess and sales manager, she really took good care of us! We are going to miss her! Can you believe she is SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT?!!?? Yes, she is... damn, she looks good and I hope to look like that at 7 months!

Malora and Karli chilling :)

Val and Jen smiling pretty for my camera......

It was a wonderful night and so great to spend some time with the girls outside of work in a relaxed environment. We should try to get together after work more often because we are all much too busy to catch up on each lives during working hours besides the company (as in companionship) is so awesome. I have never worked in an office with so many genuinely nice people. It's nice to know you can have girl talk with the girls at the office and not worry about being stabbed in the back. These are true friendships :)

Kay's PMS

Yesterday, Kay called me at work, like she does every day afterschool, she sounded a bit upset. At first, I thought she might have been tired but speaking with her a few minutes longer, I realized began to cry! WTF? My momma instincts kicked in and I started asking about school, people at school, what happenafterschool. She told me nothing was wrong and nothing happened at school. I was a bit confused. I realized, OMG, she’s going through her mini PMS. Some months are better than others and I had forgotten the fact that we both go through the emotions at about the same time each month. Over the phone, I told her to finish up her homework and I would be home shortly. But before I headed home, I went to the store to pick up some chocolate ice cream and potato chips. These are the MUST HAVE items in my cupboard / freezer when I am going through my PMS. I went through two tubs of B&J’s Coffee Toffee Ice Cream already. When I walked through the door, she was in a better mood, smiling and laughing as if nothing had happened earlier. Wow, what a change. But I surprised her with ice-cream / chips anyways and she was even happier! I tried to talk to her about the changes she is going through but she did not want to hear about it or let me mention the “words”. I have decided to send her to this link and she can read about it herself. Maybe she will handle it better if she has a chance to look it over and hopefully, she will come to me later with questions. I will try again over the weekend ....

Crazy Weather in Vancouver!

OMG, we had the strangest weather today! In the morning, it was pouring freezing rain, late in the morning, it became flurries (wet snow), by lunch, it was light rain, still quite cold, freezing winds, by late afternoon, the sun came out for a little bit, by early evening, it was HAILING, REALLY REALLY HARD, now tapering down to pouring freezing rain.... crazy weather...

ZEN FOR THOSE WHO TAKE LIFE SERIOUSLY

1. SAVE THE WHALES. COLLECT THE WHOLE SET.
2. A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE IS LIKE, NIGHT.
3. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE DIFFERENT FINGERS.
4. I JUST GOT LOST IN THOUGHT. IT WASN'T FAMILIAR TERRITORY.
5. 42.7 PERCENT OF ALL STATISTICS ARE MADE UP ON THE SPOT.
6. 99 PERCENT OF LAWYERS GIVE THE REST A BAD NAME.
7. I FEEL LIKE I'M DIAGONALLY PARKED IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE.
8. HONK IF YOU LOVE PEACE AND QUIET.
9. REMEMBER, HALF THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW ARE BELOW AVERAGE.
10. HE WHO LAUGHS LAST, THINKS SLOWEST.
11. DEPRESSION IS MERELY ANGER WITHOUT ENTHUSIASM.
12. THE EARLY BIRD MAY GET THE WORM, BUT THE SECOND MOUSE GETS THE CHEESE.
13. I DRIVE WAY TOO FAST TO WORRY ABOUT CHOLESTEROL.
14. SUPPORT BACTERIA. THEY'RE THE ONLY CULTURE SOME PEOPLE HAVE.
15. MONDAY IS AN AWFUL WAY TO SPEND 1/7 OF YOUR WEEK.
16. A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IS USUALLY THE SIGN OF A BAD MEMORY.
17. CHANGE IS INEVITABLE, EXCEPT FROM VENDING MACHINES.
18. GET A NEW CAR FOR YOUR SPOUSE. IT'LL BE A GREAT TRADE!
19. PLAN TO BE SPONTANEOUS TOMORROW.
20. ALWAYS TRY TO BE MODEST, AND BE PROUD OF IT!
21. IF YOU THINK NOBODY CARES, TRY MISSING A COUPLE OF PAYMENTS.
22. HOW MANY OF YOU BELIEVE IN PSYCHO-KINESIS? RAISE MY HAND.
23. OK, SO WHAT'S THE SPEED OF DARK?
24. HOW DO YOU TELL WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF INVISIBLE INK?
25. IF EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL, YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY OVERLOOKED SOMETHING.
26. WHEN EVERYTHING IS COMING YOUR WAY, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG LANE.
27. HARD WORK PAYS OFF IN THE FUTURE. LAZINESS PAYS OFF NOW.
28. EVERYONE HAS A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY. SOME JUST DO NOT HAVE FILM.
29. IF BARBIE IS SO POPULAR, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BUY HER FRIENDS?
30. HOW MUCH DEEPER WOULD THE OCEAN BE WITHOUT SPONGES?
31. EAGLES MAY SOAR, BUT WEASELS DO NOT GET SUCKED INTO JET ENGINES.
32. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET SCARED HALF TO DEATH TWICE?
33. I USED TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND BUT MY BRAINS KEPT FALLING OUT.
34. I COULDN'T REPAIR YOUR BRAKES, SO I MADE YOUR HORN LOUDER.
35. WHY DO PSYCHICS HAVE TO ASK YOU FOR YOUR NAME?
36. INSIDE EVERY OLDER PERSON IS A YOUNGER PERSON WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED.
37. JUST REMEMBER - IF THE WORLD DID NOT SUCK, WE WOULD ALL FALL OFF.
38. LIGHT TRAVELS FASTER THAN SOUND, WHICH IS WHY SOME PEOPLE APPEAR BRIGHT UNTIL YOU HEAR THEM SPEAK.

INSOMIA

OH.MY.GOD. I NEED TO SLEEP.....

I have not been sleeping well at all these last couple of weeks. It sucks. Last night, I didn't fall asleep until 12.45am and my alarm was set for 6.15am.... ugh... what to do??

Shoe Fetish

I have a shoe problem. My latest pair added to my collection, aren't they pretty??

Pin Up Hair

Today, I got my hair done and he is so awesome! I have been looking for a new hair stylist for years and Jimmy Lapointe at Pinup Hair is highly recommended. Words cannot describe how great I feel and look so check out my photos! He is an awesome and really cool guy. It’s been a long, difficult week; it was nice to sit in his chair to relax (head massage!) and his consulting was great, he understood an inch is REALLY AN INCH! If you are ever in Vancouver, come and check him out!

Before Hair Style, Back View, Wow my hair was super long! Blah, look at the washed out colour at the ends of my hair, colour was done 2 years ago. I want so badly to colour my hair but have not found a stylist whom I am comfortable with but look no longer! Next time, I'm getting my colours done!

Before Hair Style, Side View, uneven layers... blah...

TA-DA! New and improved, MOI *wink wink* Check out my hair, it's so puuuurrrrrty ... We decided to take more than a little bit off but it feels so great and so light. Jimmy took most of my old colour out which is awesome because I really wanted to get rid of it! Now, my hair looks so healthy and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT .... THANK YOU JIMMY FOR SAVING MY HAIR :)

STRIKE POST ;) Sweet, sexy and super soft ... love it....

Erin's Update!

Wow, look at her grow! :) Baby and I bonded the other day, he gave me a little kick and it totally made my day! So excited, can't wait for him to come out of the womb and into the world!!!

Worries...

Yet again, I have not been sleeping very well. I am tossing and turning, not catching a decent night sleep. I think subconsciously, my mind is full of worries and although I don’t think about these minor little things during the day (much too busy at work), once I’m in bed, lying down, my mind stops working and I have all this space in my thoughts to think about the little things that are worrying me. A week ago, at a Mexican resort, South of Cancun, a Canadian couple was murdered. I know these sort of terrible things are constantly happening around the world and even in my own city. But I can’t help but feel so insecure and worrisome about R going to Mexico City in May. He’s there for business and won’t be any longer than 2 or 3 days. But it’s the unknown city and I’m sure it will be perfectly fine but I’m still worrying.

Something else that is somewhat bothering me but I cannot prevent is Kay becoming a tweenager. I know that I cannot prevent or have any control over this matter. But I am going to moan about it anyways. This week, she and I had a couple of spats on some minor issues. At those moments, I realized I don’t see her the same way as I have; she’s no longer that little adorable little girl. She’s a growing, self-centred, smarty ass, fashionista tweenager. I’m sure this transformation will take a little while to get used to it and in my mind, she will always be my little girl (this thought comes a few minutes no more than a few, after she’s spazzed on me) ….. I guess I really just NEED a good night’s sleep. Maybe this weekend, I will get lucky!