Browse Category: kumquat

Members again!

DSC_2881When the California Academy of Sciences re-opened with their new and improved building in 2008, we got an annual membership.  After it expired, we never renewed.  With Kumquat around, we thought it would be worth it to renew my individual membership.  It allows me to take any guest for free for the next 12 months.  Kumquat is free until she turns 4 so it’s perfect!  Adult admission is already $34 so it’s totally worth it.  Does Sophie want another playdate soon?!  *wink wink*

DSC_2865We arrived just a little after it opened this morning and it wasn’t crowded at all.  I guess we have a lot of late risers in SF.  We got there at 10 and were on our way home by noon for Kumquat’s nap.  It’s nice to have the wide open halls for Kumquat to roam freely on foot without having to be in fear of her getting trampled or lost.

IMG_4273To celebrate the America’s Cup Series, they also had a special exhibit called “Built for Speed”.  It featured the fastest fish in the ocean and also had one of Oracle Team USA’s 45-foot catamarans on display.  Cool!

Egg Bites

IMG_7886I had some chicken and spinach in the fridge so I made some egg bites for Kumquat.  I got inspiration from Pintrest but kinda winged it.  It started out with the following ingredients:

  • 7 eggs
  • chopped baby spinach (about two handfuls)
  • chopped cooked chicken from two nights ago (about two handfuls)
  • 1/2 cup of shredded cheese I found in the fridge
  • 1/2 cup of whole milk

IMG_7887They all went in a bowl together.  I mixed the wet ingredients together first and then dumped all the dry ingredients afterward.

I used a little baking spray on the bottom of each of the muffin wells and wiped it up with a paper towel to spread it evenly.  Then I used a ladle to get them into the muffin tins and I had just the right amount to fill all 12 wells.

IMG_7888They went into the oven at 350 degrees until they were puffed up and golden around the edges.

IMG_7890Here’s the final product!  They went into the freezer in ziploc bags for future meals.  Let’s hope Kumquat eats them up!

 

Berkeley

IMG_7860This morning I got a text from Mirian saying that Karla had a rash and a fever.  Initially, Jes thought he could stay home with Kumquat but the hesitation in his voice made me think it wasn’t going to work out.  So, I called in sick and felt so bad for having to canceling my appointments today but I just had to do it.  Once everything was settled, I texted Steph to see if she was free for the day.  We met up at the Berkeley campus area for lunch and a special treat.  It was cool being in that area again after all these years.  I spent a summer there and numerous days and nights visiting everyone there on the weekends.

IMG_4224I took a photo of Kumquat in front of the Golden Bear and sent it to Dayantha just for good times’ sake.

IMG_4231IMG_4228After lunch, we stopped at CREAM for ice cream sandwiches.   IMG_4234Kumquat wanted a bite but I didn’t give her any. She’ll have to wait until she’s a bit older. IMG_4235It’s like Diddy Riese and a sandwich was only $2!  I got double chocolate chip cookies with coffee ice cream in between.  Yum.

It was so nice to see Stephanie and Vivian today.  Too bad we don’t get more days like this.

a whole year

DSC_0930It’s been one year since I went back to work from maternity leave.  Going back full-time was rough but I guess it’s painful regardless of how many days per week you have to work.    I gotta say that it hasn’t been easy but it’s been manageable too.

I thought I’d reflect on some things I’ve learned over the past year:

  • Getting Kumquat on a schedule a month before going back to work really paid off.
  • Pumping milk and storing it ahead of time made it less stressful for me the first week back at work.  I didn’t have to worry as much about how much milk I was expressing during the day.
  • The transition back to work was made a little easier with husband and grandma watching Kumquat the first month.
  • Finding a reliable nanny that we trusted made a big difference in how productive I was at work.  I didn’t have to worry very much when Mirian started caring for Kumquat.  She also sent photos of her once in a while to keep me posted on their activities and Kumquat started to sleep through the night once she started.
  • Pumping once per day at work wasn’t enough.  My milk supply started to dwindle until I increased the pumping to twice per day at work.
  • Balancing life and work is hard but it’s worth it in the end.
  • I think Kumquat is more social and well-adjusted without me being around all the time.  I’m not sure I would have taken her out and met as many people as she has this past year with Mirian.
  • The 2-3 hours between work and Kumquat’s bedtime is so precious.  Skipping Happy Hours is a real bummer but when I get home to my little one, it’s not as bad after all.
  • I’ve learned to be creative with how I use my time after work.  For example, I run with the baby in the stroller and the dog on the leash to maintain my health.  We also go to the store together and I make meals for Kumquat after she’s gone to sleep.
  • Making baby food is actually pretty fun.  I just wish I had more time.
  • Taking daily photos and/or videos has really helped me remember and cherish all the funny, sweet, and hard moments.  Time really does fly by when you’re not paying attention.DSC_1966
  • I’ve learned to accept that I’m not going to be the perfect mother and that the house will never be as clean as I want it to be.
  • Sleep and time to do nothing is now a luxury.
  • I now use some days off to have a day without the baby.  If I’ve gotta pay the nanny, I might as well make the most of it.  I usually just spend the day shopping and getting a pedicure but we’ve also taken a day trip to Napa.
  • I miss going out to nice dinners every Wednesday.  One day I will be able to sit down for a tasting menu with wine pairings again.
  • We eat dinner much earlier now.
  • I realized that I don’t really go outside after 7pm on the weekdays.
  • I worry more about bathing my baby than getting to the shower myself.  Don’t worry, I still shower everyday.
  • I make decisions at work based on whether or not it will put me at risk for bringing home unnecessary germs.
  • Yes, my co-workers were right when they said “it’s different when it’s your own child”.
  • Getting to work every morning never gets easier.

10K Finish

IMG_4180This morning, I finished my first post-Kumquat 10K.  Ranee also ran with me and it was her very first 10K ever!  Woot!

IMG_4147Chris ran his first 1/2 marathon in 1 hour 30 minutes!!  Amazing!

IMG_4194It was early and cold but we had a strong finish and our official chip time was 1:04!

IMG_4156Patty also ran the 10K and we found her at the finish.

IMG_4190Here’s the blinged-out medal.

IMG_4159The finish was on the field again but not over home plate this time.

IMG_4161I was also very happy to see Kumquat and Jes out there to greet me at the finish.  It was pretty early for both of them so kudos to both of them!

Medical Update

Kumquat’s blood test results came back and everything is normal.  Phew, what a relief.  The doctor also said that we won’t need to pump her up with so much iron anymore but to keep up the variety in her diet.

In other news, I’m scheduled for my surgery on Friday, August 23rd.  I’ll have lifting restrictions so I’ve decided to also take 2 weeks of disability.  Luckily, I already had the following scheduled off.  The surgeon also said that although I won’t be able to lift over 25 lbs, I can still run.  So, I guess I’m still on track for the Disneyland 5K a week later!