Christmas Photos

Here's a link to our Christmas album:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/dayna.chu/Christmas2007

:) Happy New Year!

Dayna

Holiday Eating Tips

My mom sent me this in an email... I had a few chuckles, so I wanted to share it (thanks mom!)... the funniest part is that she doesn't believe a word of it... and probably worked out every day of the holidays (see #6)... She made the most delicious low fat egg nog for Christmas eve dinner... let me know if you're interested and I will send the recipe :)

Holiday Eating Tips:

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an 'eggnog-aholic' or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it!!! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone! Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello???

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat - have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.

Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Click for larger image...
I hope you had a fabulous Christmas! I love Christmastime for the social aspect... I love parties and getting together with friends and family... okay, presents are good too!

We had a couple of get-togethers this year; our church spoiled the staff and servants team with a wonderful dinner and night out at the Kananaskis Lodge, I had a bit of a gals' "Gingerbread Latte" night plus several individual visits, we had a family turkey dinner with Karl's family, a Christmas brunch with my extended family, Christmas eve with us and my folks plus my Grandma, and then more turkey Christmas day with my folks.

Caleb mostly drooled through the entire thing... but he did like the lights. He was especially hypnotized by the flashing lights on the reindeer antlers that my mom was wearing around on her head... her secret strategy to get Caleb to look at her!

We were spoiled yet again this year... we got seasons passes to the zoo, lots of gifts from "Karl's favourite hockey player" (Tim Horton!), I got a gorgeous ring from my sister as well as some shopping $. Karl and I purchased a camera as a "gift to each other" but he also got me some "Celtic Ladies" CDs, pieces for my Willow Tree Nativity set, and... the new Dance Dance Revolution game! now I am even more excited to get the basement finished (as if my kitchen being full of basement storage isn't enough).

Caleb got OMIGOSH so much Osh Kosh from my mom and trent... mom found an Osh Kosh store on her trip to Charleston, SC when she went to visit Melissa & fam in Mooresville. Caleb also got other cute clothes and a learning toy from the Forsyths, jammies from my Auntie Kathy & Uncle Paul, more cute clothes from his Langa Amma (Great Grandma), a "Baby ride 'em Quad" (yay basement renos!) some hand and foot print kits, a few fantastic books and some clothes from his Grandma Jacquie, "Paddy the Panda" (a lamaze learning toy)... and more that I am not recalling right now!
Lastly, Karl got Caleb giggling last night... here's a video :) Updates on the basement reno coming soon!

Our Christmas Decor...

Here's our little Christmas elf! (yes, I propped his ears forward under the hat!)Here's our beautiful Christmas decor... courtesy of basement renos! But my mantra is, "it will be worth it when it's done... it will be worth it when it's done..." Does anyone out there use freecycle? Freecycle.com is my new BEST FRIEND... you post stuff that you don't want, and other members check the listings and come and pick it up. It's amazing how much STUFF we have... I think we kind of moved in (4 years ago) and stashed everything without really going through it. Well, I still haven't gone through it all, but our rule is that it's not allowed back into the basement without being purged and labeled!

I have *way* more stuff than Karl... but I am amazed at some of the things that he brought here from Hong Kong... ie grade school crayons (he moved here when he was 16!). We've been sharing a lot of stories about our stuff!


Basement before and after pics coming early in the new year!

Best Before January 18, 2008...

I get all calloused and jaded about the holidays by the uber-early arrival of decorations and sales. This year it was literally in August... and we're not talking craft supplies here. Anyway, I think when it really hits me that Christmas is just around the corner is when the milk's best before date is in the new year. AHhh! Only 13 days until Christmas?! How did this HAPPEN?

What I should really be scared about, however, is that my milk doesn't go bad for over a month... what is in this stuff?

"Bundle" of joy

why not to get santa photos done...

We decided to wait another year to get Santa pics with Caleb... or maybe this is the only GOOD year to do it, while he's not "playing shy"? These are some pics from ellen's website


at least the other santas don't look like they're about to whoop your kid!

Reminder of an old story

I was doing some cleaning in the basement and was going through some of my boxes of stuff. Some of them are old textbooks and some of them are random keepsakes. Suddenly, this tape caught my glimpse and I started to remember the story.

About ten years ago, I was a little younger and a lot more active socially. By virtue of that, I was out for a lot of late nights. I recall one bitterly cold winter night, I left a friends house in the wee hours of the morning. I was nearly to falling asleep at the wheels and was not really paying attention to my surroundings as I headed south on 14th Street NW (in Calgary) just past the Winter Club and the Police Station. I stopped at the set of lights on top of John Laurie Boulevard. The light was about the turn green, but suddenly without warning, a native woman ran past the front of car, and before I knew it, she was in my passenger seat.

By now, I could tell that she had had a few drinks. She seemed calm enough, but still the last thing I wanted to do was to provoke a drunken stranger in my very own vehicle. So I asked if I could help her in some way. She said she needed a place to stay for the night, and she knew a friend who might be able to take her in. I felt a little annoyed because I was dead tired; but at the same time, I was a bit fearful. So I offered to give her a ride.

As we were cruising along the night streets of Calgary, she started unloading all her personal problems: broken family, abusive boyfriend, and the whole nine yards. I started to feel sorry for her -- I really did. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately), I had no similar life experience to draw on to be able to say anything intelligent to console her. So I just quietly listened and let out the occasional uh-huh.

After what seemed like a long drive, we finally arrived at her friend's house. Before I could wish her luck and say goodbye, she asked if I could hang on until she can be let in. I quietly sucked in a breathe of cold air through my teeth, and said "sure". As she staggered up the steps to knock on the door, I was tempted to just take off. However, I didn't have the heart to do so as it was a very cold night. If her friend was not home, or simply did not answer the door, she would have to walk for miles to find any shelter. So I waited and hoped the lights would turn on and the door would open. Neither happened.

She staggered back down the steps, opened the car door and let in another draft of cold air, climbed in and shut the door. "Now what?" I thought. She said she really need a place to spend the night and she did not know what to do then. She mumbled on for a bit and I was starting to get the sense that she was hoping I could make a place for her to stay in my home. Not to mention that I was living with my parents at the time, I simply would not have made it happened. I finally said, "I can give you a ride to another destination, but after that", I made up a white lie and continued, "I have to go home, or my wife would start to worry". She paused and thought for a moment. Then she asked if I could take her downtown to the Cecil Hotel. I agreed, put the car in gear, and started the final leg of this interesting journey.

During the ride, she continued on with her life stories for a bit, but then she grabbed a tape of native music out of her coat pocket. She stuck it into my stereo and then just listened to the music.

After what seemed like another long drive, we finally arrived at the Cecil Hotel and she let herself out. I finally got to wish her luck as she climbed out of the car. Needless to say, she forgot the tape and I was not alert enough at the time to have noticed. I kept the tape because it was a reminder of a somewhat funny anecdote in my otherwise-ordinary life. Moreover, it was also a reminder of this unique opportunity to catch a glimpse into a world that is unknown to me. Most importantly, it reminds me to be thankful for everything that is of me, and everyone and everything that surrounds me.

We got Elfed by the Forsyths!... check it out: Elf Yourself

I guess I just can't sit still...

Hey All,

So I've started selling "Lovable Labels"... check out my other blog for more info (www.lovablelabels.blogspot.com) or my website (www.dayna.lovablelabels.ca); Lovable Labels are dishwasher/microwave safe and the clothing and shoe ones are uber-durable. There are a few other personalized items available too, including personalized story-books and medical id bracelets.

That's all for now! Don't worry, I won't be sending you spam :)

32 days until Christmas!

Happy Shopping :)

What can I say, we're new parents!

Caleb "talking"...

evolution of a smile...

Fall Slideshow... who needs cablevision when you can have Calebvision?!

scary halloween...

The scariest part of our halloween was that most of our trick-or-treaters were under 3' tall! We only got about a dozen kids (we live on kind of a dark corner with no houses across from us... not exactly the "jackpot" area of our neighbourhood as far as trick-or-treaters would be concerned); most of the kids were preschoolers. That surprises me... is that normal?

Anyway, here's Dumbo...
We also had a super cute little dragon, "Bat-girl", Eeore, a fairy, and more.

And now... what to do with the left over candy... hmmmmmm...

all in a day's weather...

Caleb's first time at the zoo! Over 20 degrees and sunny(baby Malti)

Caleb's first snowfall... same night!

My hubby's a genius!

Mmmmmmmm... Nutella Crepes! Karl made these tonight for us when Caleb went to bed (for bedtime #1); thanks honey! YUM-O as Rachael Ray would say ;)

How to tell you're not mom's favourite...

Okay, so Grandparents' Day is officially in September (or something??) but Caleb's Grandparents' Day was officially last Saturday! Here are pictures from the day, as all of Caleb's Grandparents were lining up at the door to squeeze his cute little (chubby!) cheeks. They weren't all here at the same time (we had to give his cheeks a rest, after all...) But they did indeed all come on the same day!

and the winner is...

I won!

Lately I have been watching some "Breakfast Television" in the mornings when I am feeding Caleb. They have an "email question of the day" with prizes based on their theme for the day or guests they have on. The other day, it was "get cracking" with an eggs theme, a cook doing an omelette demo, etc. The question of the day was, "How do you like your eggs?" So I sent in a response with a little blurb about our red eggs and the Chinese tradition behind it; I even attached a little picture... and I won! (Thanks Melissa, for trekking downtown with my i.d. to pick up the prize for me!):Joel & Alisha inherited some of the items (pencils, pencil case, highlighter star thingy, etc); the best item by far in the prize pack is a Kitchen Aid non-stick frying pan. I tried it out already and made pizza egg omelette wraps from the cook book; they got a thumbs up from Karl:

Caleb the Soothersaurus...

Two Months!

Yes folks, it's true! Time flies like the wind (but fruit flies like bananas)... Caleb is two months old today! He weighed in a couple days ago at 10lbs. Here are some pics:

Caleb at 2 weeks old and 2 months old:


Today:

Yesterday:
September 16:
September 24 with Auntie Melissa:
some of Caleb's Dedication Service this past Sunday:

How YOU doin'?

Conversation of the week

Introducing our new cast member: Caleb Chu as "C"!!!

(D giving C a bath, exploring different crevices)
D to C: You got any spare change there for mommy? (lifting C's arm and cleaning his arm pit)
K to D: It's more like a small fortune in there.
D to C: You got more gookies there (examining his belly button)
K to D: See! He's got some fortune gookies for you!

it's not that there's nothing to update on...

Whew, this being a mom business keeps one busy eh?! Blog schmog, as you can see from the picture, it's all I can do to keep the barf off of me ;o) This one even splashed onto the floor (I was downstairs on the hardwood...)
Pics coming soon from Caleb's traditional Chinese "One Month Celebration"... here's his outfit:

And one of the fam: (Karl's brother, Alan, is holding Caleb, and those are his two daughters)

More to come...

official due date...

August 29 was the due date given to us by the doctors... Here's my little man on the day he was "supposed" to be born, weighing in at 8lbs even (he was 5lbs 6oz when he was born, July 26) ...

my wish...

A prayer for Caleb (I am putting this in his baby book, but wanted to post it too...)

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you wanna go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.
But more than anything, more than anything...

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
all the ones who love you, in the place you left,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more than you take.
But More than anything, yeah, more than anything...

My wish, for you…

rascal flatts

man 2 "man" chat...

Just chattin' with Dad!

One Month!

Caleb’s Mama and Yeye (Karl’s folks) brought over a lysee (red envelope), some red dyed eggs, roasted pig, and fruit today in celebration of Caleb’s official One Month birthday. Below is an explanation of this tradition, in which we, the parents, are to give out red eggs to friends and family. We will, in fact, be doing this in a couple of weeks when we host the One Month Celebration party at a local restaurant. There is quite an elaborate menu, much like a wedding celebration, that I will blog about next time!

"In Chinese culture, a baby's first month birthday calls for a celebration. Proud parents introduce their latest addition to friends and relatives by holding a red egg and ginger party. Traditionally, the baby's name is also announced at this time.

"Guests attending red egg and ginger parties bring gifts. Lysee or "lucky money" in red envelopes is often given to baby boys, while girls may receive expensive jewelry. The guests don't leave empty handed, either. The parents hand out red-dyed eggs, symbolizing happiness and the renewal of life. [Red eggs are chosen as gifts because they are the symbol of fertility, the changing process of life, and their round shape is the symbol of harmonious and happy life. They are made red because red color is a sign of happiness in Chinese culture (reference).]

"Red egg and ginger parties have their origins in ancient Chinese culture. As in other countries, infant mortality rates in China were quite high prior to the medical advances of the twentieth century. A baby who reached one month of age was likely to survive, and so the event was celebrated.

"In the past, due to the traditional importance of male children in Chinese culture, red egg and ginger parties were sometimes given for boys only, or the celebration for boys was more elaborate. Today, parties are given for babies of both sexes.

"In recent years, some of the traditions surrounding red egg and ginger parties have been modified. Parents may choose to hold the celebration at a fancy restaurant, complete with costumed Chinese performers or even a children's magician. Also, the baby may be anywhere from one to three months old by the time the party is held. But the custom of passing out red-dyed eggs continues. Parents may also use the brightly colored eggs to announce the birth; an even number of eggs are sent out for a boy, and an odd number to announce a baby girl." REFERENCE

thankful!

I am super thankful for my aunt and cousin for hosting an awesome shower for Caleb last week. Thank you for coming everyone, and thank you so much for your generosity! Photos here.

I am also so thankful for my generous and creative friends, Melissa D. and Diane E., for hosting the most amazing, creative and fun baby shower for Caleb today!

I've done quite the baby shower circuit, so I was pleasantly surprised when there were games I hadn't played or heard of... have you ever played the one with the little tiny (sterilized) plastic baby frozen into an ice cube? Everyone has them in their drinks, and the first one to see that their's has melted out has to yell, "my water broke!" and wins a prize (only, be sure to give the rule that you can't suck/crunch it out... this is basically "inducing labour" as one of the guests today put it, and should be considered cheating). Also, Melissa made an awesome crossword puzzle solely using trivia about Caleb from this blog (how on earth did you create that, Melissa?!).

It was all a "Jungle" theme because that is Caleb's nursery theme. I was the jungle mama and had a grass skirt and vine/leaf bra and pineapple drinking cup and everything. It was awesome. Check out the diaper jungle animals (complete with washcloth banana and sock ears/tails) and diaper jungle theme "cake" (both made by Melissa). I am thankful that the diapers won't fit Caleb for a while, so the creations can stay in the nursery for a while!

The mister muncher is getting ready to eat (again!) so I will post more details later... here's some pictures to speak a thousand words for me (click for larger image).

Thank you to all who came to meet and bless Caleb!