All stuffed up!

Ughhh, experiencing major congestion right now. Feeling wheezy and sluggish. I would be drinking oj but, according to my main girl Martha, it doesn't aid at all in curing el cold. I'm supposed to be doing all this stuff today but can't really remember what needs to be done...

I'll update later about my weekend.

OH, one thing I was supposed to do is upload pictures. Might not get to that today. Sorry!

BB loves corporate finance!

Second lazy day in a row. I feel like we've been hibernating here in the apartment and I'm itching to get out and do something. Dave's been studying for midterms. As you can see from the photo, BB is trying to help out with corporate finance. I took this with the Nikon D70s (the one I have no idea how to use), and I got a few photos out of it that I am sort of pleased with. The sun was out but has been hiding behind some puffy, thick clouds the past half hour.

I've been trying to fight off a cold the past few days and I think I've finally got it under control. I napped an awful lot yesterday. I can't remember the last time I took two naps in one day! What else did I do? I made some strange tasting pasta (yuck) and a fantastic, juicy steak (yum). What is the key to a perfect steak? Sear it on both sides in a pan for 2 minutes a side then stick it in an oven at 450 degrees for 14 minutes. It was perfect!

I'm feeling so scatterbrained right now. Must get out and do something! Update on BB: She's is crawling less and less, walking more and more. It's adorable. Another thing she likes to do is bang on the bathroom door. Dave was finishing up his shower and BB walked over there to bang on the door. "Dada!"

She can say it!

Worst. Mood. EVER. ROAR!

Was feeling fine and dandy today and Mr. Sore Throat just had to creep up on me. I'd like to blame it on the Penang Beef that I was forced/asked to eat tonight -- allergic reaction -- but that's just Mr. Bad Mood getting the best of me because I don't have any allergies. I can't remember the last time I was in this bad a mood. Did not help that BB felt like being ONLY held by yours truly. Thankfully, she is sleeping now.

Time to go blow off some steam. Time to KNIT.

Feeling blahbity, blah blah...

BB and I went to go visit my mom this past Thursday and Friday because we hadn't had much time to spend with her lately. While we had a great time, we all ended up getting sick. BB's stomach was a little uneasy before we visited, and with all the messes she made (I will spare you the details) we ended up catching some kind of bug. I was extremely miserable yesterday and am feeling about 80% better today. Feeling a little frustrated that I haven't been able to run some errands I had been planning to do.

Anyway, although I have rarely posted lately, I am still alive! There is much to think about, many birthdays coming up, so I am feeling the need to start running on all cylinders right away. And I thought I had something to write about...but I guess I really don't right now...sorry! Be back soon with something interesting!

I have no name for you, post.

We've been up to a bunch since I last posted. I ended up taking BB back to the pediatrician because I suspected she had a yeast infection. Yes, babies (even baby boys) are prone to those. Since she wasn't feverish anymore, the doctor said we could take her off the antibiotics (the culprit). We also found out she has thrush, so she got a prescription for that along with the Monistat cream that was recommended. Poor thing!

On a much lighter note, I've sent out all the invitations for BB's birthday party. That's definitely a feat in itself! I was so worried about getting them out late -- we're cutting it close as it is. I wish I started planning it back in December, but I'll just have to make do with the time we have left. I don't think I've ever planned a party before... I'm nervous because this has to be great. It's a one time thing, a first birthday!
Dave's going to come home early from work today (yes!) and we're going to go visit his cousin Wayne in town. After, we're going to have dinner with our old roommate Masaki and his girlfriend. I miss Masaki, and he was by far the best roommate anyone could ask for.

Amoxicillin Panini

I LOVE my new panini grill. My mom got it for Dave and me for Christmas and I finally took it out of the box yesterday. Tonight I made some pretty tasty paninis: italian bread, garlic sautéed baby asparagus, genoa salami, and mozzarella cheese. All those days of watching Everday Italian on the Food Network came in handy because I remembered to brush the bread with extra virgin olive oil, and voila, we have some pretty, golden toasted bread. Next time, I'm going to add more asparagus.

Update on BB: Kid had a tough day. We went to see Dr. Chang this morning and we were there for almost 2 hours. She did a urine culture and I took BB to the hospital to get blood tests done "STAT." It was so excruciating to watch the whole ordeal as a mom (it took awhile for them to find a vein and BB screamed the entire time). In a nutshell, BB has some sort of infection and we might have to see the doctor again tomorrow if her fever persists. For now, we're swimming in amoxicillin and Motrin drops. I'm not going to sleep well until this is all over.

Boo, flu!

The flu shot BB got on Tuesday has been rearing its ugly head this week. She had the chills last night and a 101.5 temperature this afternoon, so I've been pretty worried. It's the first time she's been really sick (runny noses don't count). We're going to see her doctor tomorrow just as a precaution. Until then, we're just hibernating here in the bedroom and living room.

I haven't posted in awhile because things are STILL busy. On top of BB's little flu, we're still reeling from the New Year's festivities. My birthday is on New Year's Eve, so it's always a crazy time, being in the restaurant business and all. I thought about it hard and realized I don't like having my birthday on the last day of the year. Friends are always out of town visiting home and everyone is celebrating something else. BUT, on the upside, I have many things to be thankful for and I'm a very lucky person so I'm not going to complain.

My mom watched BB for the weekend and Dave took me out to Samba Steak House & Sushi (no website) Saturday night and I loved it. It's a fusion of Japanese and South American (I think) food. Definitely going back -- and it's right down the street! We spent New Year's Eve all over the place. We worked the whole day at China Blossom and then went to Boston to meet up with Wayne and his girlfriend. We made it into Underbar literally a minute before midnight. We had a great night until Dave and I got locked out of Wayne's apartment. Long story short -- they fell asleep and couldn't hear their doorbell ring, we walked around the Copley area at 4 am for what seems like forever looking for a hotel with vacancy. Lenox -- booked. Marriott Courtyard -- $400 a night. Westin -- booked. Luckily, Marriott Copley had a room on the 32nd floor and late check out. The clock read 5 am when I got into bed. I was definitely upset with Wayne ("just ring the bell"), but I must admit that the hotel bed was very comfortable and the view was choice.

New Year's Day, the four of us had brunch at Brasserie Jo and spent the afternoon playing with Wayne's new Nintendo Wii. Video games, I know, but the technology was amazing and it was a great workout. All in all, it was the best birthday I've ever had and I have Dave to thank for that.

This post is getting longer than I originally anticipated, so I'm going to stop here. So many things to do. I really want to get everything out of the way so I can start thinking about new things. 1) BB's 1st birthday needs to be planned. Dave and I drew up a draft for the guestlist and it's huge. How do I begin to cut it down? Can I?! 2) I want to break out my new sewing machine! I need to make room for it (as soon as Dave throws out the Christmas tree) and I want to get to it soon! Sorry the writing is so bad -- too many distractions!!!

Before I Take a (mmm)Nap

Quick (I hope) update. I'm at my mom's at the moment with BB:
1. Because I've been sick.
2. We have some very important birthdays this week to celebrate here (a. my brother, Matt's; b. my mom's...did I use that semicolon right?).

I knew I needed to eat, but it didn't really hit me that that was the reason I was sick to begin with. One bad day can trip you up and then you don't have the time or energy to recuperate -- especially if you're a mom. No need to complain about it and go into details, but the bottom line is that you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of others. And let me just say that my mom got me a sandwich on Saturday when she came to pick us up. Food shock. My body felt surprised that it got a whole sandwich in one day. That bad.

Don't worry, though. Getting back on track. One thing about going home to your mom's is great food, and we had a nice fish dinner last night. Tomorrow, for Matt's 21st birthday (yahoo!), we're all going to Max's Oyster Bar. I definitely plan on ordering some raw and fried oysters + celebratory drinks. Yum, yum, yum.

I want to try to make a trip to Westfarms today to see if I can pick out a gift for him. I know it's late, but you can't really go out when body works like that of old, rickety lady. I have no idea what to get...but I do know of something I'd like to get for myself: my own Restoration Hardware chenille blanket. It is heavy + soft + goodness. I've bought them for many (my mom, my dad, etc.) as gifts but have not received on in return. Since I've been so cold lately, I am treating myself. I don't care that I've gotten no Christmas shopping done. (Don't worry, it'll get done.)

My darling can stand now (unassisted for around 5 seconds). She is a furniture cruiser and that is why I am glad she's napping now. I can't keep her on the bed anymore, she crawls over to the edge all the time. My hair is going to turn gray by the end of the year!
I wasn't going to post this last picture cause it looks kind of funny (right?), but as I examined it in iPhoto I realized her teeth are showing! The one on her right is the bigger one, and the left is just poking out. She loves when I wag my index finger in front of her mouth and ask, "Where's your tooth?" She smiles and opens wide for me to tap the tooth.

It makes me smile, too.

Sorry if this post was a little out there. Still not thinking straight. Must nap while BB is napping! Going!