BoLA's 2011 Year

It's been a great year and it's hard for me to think that this is the last day of 2011.

In January, I baked French Macaroons with raspberry-rose buttercream for the first time and I've been itching to make another batch soon. With Chase, I'm not sure when that will happen but I hope he develops a sweet tooth like his mommy.


In February, I visited MS in Mexico City for a romantic weekend getaway. I have a sneaky suspicion that this was also THE weekend that would change our lives forever.


In March, we found out that I had a bundt in the oven! There was much secrecy at this point, but the night I took the test was the evening I went out with the girls at BOA Steakhouse on Sunset. I must have drank three whole bottles of Evian water and tried to play it cool that I wasn't having any wine with dinner.


In April, there was much rest as I entered the second trimester and we finally announced to our friends that we were expecting! Here is our other baby, Summer, resting with us... not knowing what was to come later in the year!


In May, I started having major cravings for MEAT - specifically, Korean BBQ meat!

In June, we ventured to the Santa Monica Bergamot Station Arts Center for a morning of art, culture and fun. I couldn't believe that I didn't already know of this wonderful LA spot and can't wait to take Chase there too! MS and I also celebrated our two year wedding anniversary at Osteria Mozza.


In July, we had our Gender Reveal Party at Matsui Restaurant in Little Tokyo and found out that we were having a Baby BOY by cutting into this King's Hawaiian Cake at lunch with our families. We held on to the sealed envelope from the doctor's office for a few weeks, but MS had a feeling all along...

We also went to Yosemite to celebrate one of my closest girlfriends' wedding that month of July. It was my first time to go to the National Park, but I know it won't be the last. MS used to camp here with his family growing up, and hopefully, we'll do the same with Chase when he gets a little older.

In August, I failed my pregnancy glucose test and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. From then on, I couldn't just eat what I wanted but had to regulate my sugar intake and add more vegetables and whole grains to my diet.


In September, school was back in session and I was doing well (as best I could) with my new diabetic state. My mom threw me a perfect baby shower with 30 of our closest family members and friends, and I veered away from my strict diet with a couple of these mini-cupcakes! And my coworkers hosted another great shower for me with tons of laughter, gifts and good company.


In October, we celebrated my 33rd birthday at Club 33 in Disneyland and the World of Color at California Adventure! We also visited the hospital with two false alarms, but knew that Baby Chase was coming soon...


In November, we welcomed Chase into our hearts and into our family.


In December, we celebrated Chase's first Christmas!

It's been a whirlwind of a year filled with love, family and friends, and many wonderful changes to our lives. I'm hopeful that the New 2012 Year will be even better with more adventures and memories! And I can't wait to capture them all and chronicle them on my blog. Here's to another year of resolutions and inspirations!

Farewell 2011!

Welcome 2012!

Sneaking Around with Hotcakes

A tray of 12 mini cupcakes = $15

An upgrade for specialty cupcakes = a few quarters more

Gestational diabetes going away after delivering Chase = PRICELESS!

Although, I did cheat the night I went into labor with a tasting of three of these mini loves. I rationalized that three little ones would equal one regular sized cupcake, so really... the cheating wasn't as bad as it could have been. I mean, seriously, I could have eaten the whole tray in one sitting, equivalent to *gasp* four large cupcakes and a huge sugar hit! It's not so hard when they're pretty on the eyes, each is bite sized, and you just want to sample the variety of flavors and textures.

My favorite had to be the Food Network's Cupcake Wars award-winning Tres Leches Spicy Mango (pictured on the bottom right with a piece of mango dabbed in the middle of a light whipped cream frosting). After one bite, it was apparent to me why Elfie Weiss took home the prize.

Was it worth it in the end?

A resounding YES!

After all, it was the same night that landed me in the hospital for the greatest blessing of all this year... Baby Chase!

Hotcakes
add: 4119 S. Centinela Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90066
tel: 1.310.397.2324
hrs: M-Sa 9a-7p. Su 10a-6p
url: www.hotcakesbakes.com

It's Almost 2012?!!

I can't believe that Christmas is just a couple days from now!

Did I get my Christmas shopping done this year? With a newborn baby, the answer would have to be a sad no.

However, I was able to get our Christmas announcement cards out the other day - that is, with the help of my mom who was watching Chase while I signed and stuffed some envelopes.

I thought I'd order more gifts online, but somehow, I couldn't get my act together... except for this wonderful Owl & Pussycats 2012 calendar I stumbled upon on Catsparella.com. I ordered it from Cathy Peng's Etsy.com shop, thinking I'd keep it for myself. But it's just so cute that I know many friends and family who would love it as a Christmas gift! Her online shop is closed for the holidays and as she finishes up a children's book, but look out for her in the New Year with great finds and fun feline designs!

www.cathypeng.com
www.etsy.com/shop/cathypeng

Love Made Visible: Baby Chase

A baby changes your life forever.

Time becomes a luxury and sleep becomes akin to finding the holy grail - forever teasing you with its illusiveness. For there's always something to do... diaper change, feed, burp, diaper change, feed, burp, laundry, dishes - repeated a million times over with so many other things that you have to do. A five minute hot shower becomes a sanctuary, and having some time to yourself is a godsend.

So when does it get better?

Labor, just like my pregnancy, was no easy feat. After two false alarms, I was not going back to the hospital until I knew it was go-time. On the estimated due date (November 7th), I had a craving for Mexican - specifically, the carne asada from Pacos Tacos. I was eating spicy foods in an effort to move the contractions along and speed up the labor process. Just up Centinela, we walked over to Hotcakes - winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars with their Tres Leches Spicy Mango cupcake - for dessert. Definitely worth the extra calories!

Since it was a Monday evening, we watched "How I Met Your Mother" - one of my favorite television shows. All the while, I had mild contractions that weren't too different from any other time. But the pain got worse and by 10pm, I asked MS to start timing the frequencies and durations of each one. They were getting closer together, stronger and much more unbearable.

MS asked, "Are you sure you want to go to the hospital?"

"WTF?! Don't you see that I'm in pain?!"

{Add in many more expletives and curses.}

So off to Labor & Delivery we went. I was three centimeters dilated and admitted to the hospital after being observed for a couple hours. The epidural went in and it was just a matter of time.

Fast forward to 5pm and after doses of pitocin, having my water broken manually and with a temperature ranging between 99 and 104 degrees, I was told that my cervix was only about five centimeters and that I needed to have a c-section. So after 20+ hours of labor, I was prepped for surgery.

The details of the actual surgery are a mystery to me, as I was given a lot more pain medication that numbed everything below my chest. I concentrated on breathing as I felt my body going into shock and spasms. I remember feeling very cold - to the point that my teeth were uncontrollably chattering.

Finally, MS appeared after getting prepped to enter the surgical room and held my hand. I squeezed his hand to draw my focus to his warmth and away from the thought of impending surgery. The doctors told me I would feel a lot of pressure and some tugging when they cut me open. At one point, they asked me a lot of questions - was I allergic to any medications? Yes, an antibiotic. OK, we'll use another one. Do you have asthma? Yes, a mild case. Have you been admitted to the hospital for an asthma attack? Yes. When was that? Last weekend. And I could have sworn the doctors consulted with each other about how to proceed and what to do versus not do.

When they finally cut me open, I felt the tugging and pressure. But that was nothing compared to the pain I felt in my upper chest. With eyes closed, I tried to go to my "happy place" in my mind and redirect my energies to try to breathe in and out as steadily as I could.

And then there was a cry.

With eyes still shut, I was physically and mentally exhausted. When the doctors told me to open my eyes and see our beautiful baby boy, I couldn't believe he was just inside me a few moments earlier.

The doctors asked, "What's his name?"

I was glad MS answered for the both of us, "Chase."

A month later, Chase is healthy and growing into a big boy - 10 pounds and counting. Things are getting better with each passing day and with the help of family and friends. I'm healing well from the surgery, and I marvel at his many gestures and his baby features.

Chase is truly Love Made Visible, as I'm reminded of The Art of Chase and his positive messages:

Follow your heart;

Where attention goes - energy flows;

You are too blessed to be stressed; and

The only time is right now.

I'm cherishing each moment spent with Chase and MS, and feel so blessed that Chase is in our lives.

Pacos Tacos
add: 4141 S. Centinela Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90066
tel: 1.310.391.9616
url: www.pacoscantina.com

Hotcakes
add: 4119 S. Centinela Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90066
tel: 1.310.397.2324
hrs: M-Sa 9a-7p. Su 10a-6p
url: www.hotcakesbakes.com

The Art of Chase

url: http://theartofchase.com