Not for you!
I finally got my McRib and Kumquat tried to steal it!
Mommy & Me Day
Today I had the day off to take Kumquat to the doctor. Since the appointment wasn’t until 2pm, we had lots of time to play. In the morning, we went to visit Ranee and Sophie at their new home in Walnut Creek. They have so much space now! Ranee made us breakfast and the babies played on the floor together. Kumquat really liked Sophie’s blocks.
For lunch, I actually went to work. KM makes a sushi lunch for us every year and I wasn’t about to miss it. So, I brought Kumquat with me and Ranee brought Sophie too. We all gathered around the mat and watched the babies play. 
We always think it’s fun to watch normal babies move and play. The food was delicious (as usual) and I got to see Elaine too!
Kumquat and I had to go to see the doctor without Jes today too. Luckily she was on her best behavior. I was even able to leave her with the front office staff while I used to restroom. That’s by girl!
Farmer’s Market
As you all know, one of my favorite things to do is go to the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. It used to be a something that I enjoyed by myself but it seems even more fun with Kumquat now. I picked up a morning bun from the Downtown Bakery stand and a cup of coffee from Peet’s and then we sat down by the water to have breakfast together.
This morning was especially cool because I actually got the courage to say “hello” to Chef Cosentino, who I’ve seen there severally times buying produce for his restaurant. I asked if he would take a photo with the Kumquat and he was so nice to humor me. I love the Jesse scowl that she gave him.
A Day in The Creek
On Sunday, Jes was sick as a dog so it was a good thing I had some stuff planned that day. In the morning, I packed up Kumquat and her stuff and headed out to Lafayette for brunch with Ranee and Steph. Stephanie just announced to all of us (on NYE) that she’s expecting a baby in June! Woohoo! I couldn’t be happier for her and Nathan. Ranee has been just as excited so we planned this brunch to get caught up and hang out. 
It was freezing cold – I mean literally 32 degrees there that morning and little Sophie had to wear her beanie in the restaurant. So cute! There was also an extra spot at the table for Steph’s baby so we’ll have to plan another brunch a year from this day. He/she should be ready to sit in a highchair and grub with the rest of us!
Afterward, I met up with Michelle in Walnut Creek. I had some errands to run there so it was a good place to meet up. I hadn’t seen her since she and the family moved to Orinda. Here we are at Peet’s Coffee waiting for Michelle. I was so excited to see her that I forgot to take a photo. We had lunch in a little diner and I had a surprisingly tasty cup of posole there!
Once lunch was over, Kumquat had fallen asleep in the stroller. Instead of waking her, I decided to let her take her full 2-hour nap and I got to do some shopping! Broadway Plaza has lots of good shops and I got an awesome parking space on the street. It was perfect. I picked up a new jacket for myself and some ridiculously cheap clothes for Kumquat at Gap.
Check out that price! That cute purple shirt was $5.97 plus an additional 40% off!
What a good Sunday. I got some girl time and alone time, Kumquat got a really good nap, and Jes got some rest too that day.
Ringing in the New Year
Happy New Year! This year we rang in the new year with Jason and Jia. We went to their apartment for a tasty dinner and just hung out watching TV. Kumquat and Koa played and also begged for cheese and salami.
At about 8:30 or 9:00, Kumquat really tired and cranky so I helped her fall asleep and in the process fell asleep too. So I took a quick nap and woke up at 11:00 pm in time to watch the festivities on TV. When the clock struck 12, it was the beginning of 2013 and Jes was on the toilet and Kumquat had just woken up. Awesome.
At 12:02 am, the three of us had a big New Year’s Day hug and I got a big glass of champagne to make up for the tiny sip that I had last year while I was preggo.
The next day, I was up pretty early and took Koa for a walk to the dog run just next door to the apartment complex. We got a nice walk by the water and then Koa got to run off-leash for a bit.
I was lucky enough to have a guy there with two dogs and he was super nice about Koa’s unusual social habit of making an unfriendly-sounding rawr everytime a dog came nearby. Eventually, he was able to run with the others and everyone had a good time.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around the house, eating breakfast and pie, and napping. Kumquat also got to watch part of the Rose Parade with me. Aaaah…that was so much better than going to work.
Year in Review – 2012
I must say that 2012 was a very good year. I spent the first quarter cookin’ a baby and getting ready for our newest family member.
I also had an awesome month off before Kumquat arrived and spent the last week hanging out with my mom.
Then in April, our lives changed forever when our beautiful baby girl was born.
The rest of Spring and most of Summer was spent at home recovering and learning how to take care of a little human being while keeping up with the daily chores.
Right before going back to work full-time, we took our annual trip to Oahu and baby came along too.
Then it was time to return to work and it was so hard the first week. Eventually, I adjusted and it was nice to have such good friends around. Jes also did a great job as a stay-at-home dad for a month.
In September, we hired Mirian, who has been a wonderful addition to Kumquat’s life. She takes her on outings, reads to her, and kept her on her schedule better than any of us. In fact, Kumquat started sleeping through the night after her first day with Mirian.
Then Fall and Winter arrived and Jason and Jia moved to California! It’s been so fun to have them around and we see them almost every week.
We celebrated all the holidays with our little girl and even took her to Disneyland. It was a busy Christmas trip home but totally worth it.
Here are the Best and Worst of 2012:
Best Meal(s) and Experience(s): Dinner at L’Atelier Crenn and Lunch at Hog Island Oyster Co. after baby was born (wine, raw oysters, ’nuff sed)
Most Memorable Meal(s): Panda Express at UCSF every time I had an ultrasound.
Best Moment(s): Delivering my baby girl and meeting her for the first time.
Worst Moment(s): Leaving Kumquat and driving to work for the first time after Maternity Leave. I was a mess.
Saddest Moment(s): Finding out that my manager at work had lost her battle with cancer.
Favorite TV Show(s) of the year: Ever After on ABC. Parenthood on Netflix. I also enjoyed watching Smash with my mom on Hulu while I was on maternity leave.
Worst TV Show(s) of the year: I don’t have any since we don’t have cable anymore.
Favorite Trip(s): Hawaii in July, of course!!!
Worst Trip(s): The 10-hour drive home before Christmas.
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