Neighborhood Search

Today Ben, Isabel, and I went up to Dublin to check out neighborhoods in search for our potential home. It was a really nice day and even though we did get a late start we managed to check out some really great properties. We even met up with Catherine which was really nice. She finally got to meet Isabel. We checked out an open house on her street and the house was really pretty. It would be fun to be neighbors! We also checked out Dublin Ranch, Tassajara Meadows, and a bunch of other neighborhoods in Dublin. We really really liked the neighborhoods between the border of San Ramon and Dublin off of Dougherty. I think we are really considering that area but the only issue is that it's pretty far from the highway. As far as family friendly, it was a really nice area. We saw a beautiful house in San Ramon and I was really in love with it. It had 5 bedrooms! So yea, it would be a house to definitely start a family in. The tough part about house hunting is that you start to really like certain houses and you just keep thinking about what your life would be like if you lived there. The bad part is that if we do move, I am really really going to miss not being close Valley Fair. Stoneridge is ok but it's no Valley Fair. I'm also going to miss all the restaurants too. Anyhow, we're certainly in no rush but I'm hoping to move by the end of summer.

The Nanny Diaries

I have been very fortunate to have my sister move in with me and have her be my live in nanny. Cindy has been such an asset and also such a good care giver for Isabel. She's spoiling me and it's going to be incredibly hard when she finds a job and moves to the city. I'm in the middle of bribing her to stay as long as she can by buying her food and paying her.

One of the many perks of having Aunt Cindy as a nanny is all the wonderful pictures that she takes everyday. Isabel's motor skills have been improving day to day. Now when's she's in her jumper, she's beginning to play with her toys. Here she is in an outfit from her great grandmother who lives in Taiwan.

Isabel just started fruits this week and she seems to like her vegetables more. Her first fruit was bananas and it seemed to be too tart for her. Anyhow, it's hilarious to see her reaction to a new food.

My beautiful girl!

Ben and I have this incredibly huge dilemma: We want to buy a house right now because the market is great for buyers... the bad part is that my job is in south San Jose, I can't afford the homes I want in south San Jose so we have to look in Pleasanton and Dublin. But moving there would eliminate daycare for Isabel which was provided by my family. So what to do? I want to be a stay at home mom if we move to Pleasanton or Dublin BUT I don't want to push the envelope as far as finances goes... If I switch jobs then I need one that either has daycare and if not, I have to pay for outside daycare... So what to do??? I have no idea. It's a never ending circle. I wish I knew what to do!

The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back

So two weeks ago exactly I went back to work. Work itself isn't that hard to get back into the groove of but I believe it's dealing with the people part that's tougher. Ever since we have had Isabel, Ben and I have become insanely impatient, meaning: we have less time for people's bullsh*t. Whether it's from each other, family, friends, coworkers, or strangers, we have no time in our lives to deal with stupid things. There are way way more important things in our lives to deal with now. Time is precious! Just having the last 6 months with Isabel go by in a blink of an eye was a big wake up call.

This brings me to this past Friday, just before the weekend. Let me just say that you do not ever ever want to be on the receiving end of the conversation I had with my "fill in the blank" (whom I'm going to call "SC" for short = stupid cow, the nicest two words that I can use, trust me I have used worse. During my pregnancy & before I had left on maternity leave, I put up with a lot of "stuff" because frankly, I did not need the added stress. Being pregnant and stressed out was the last thing I needed. So being the good natured little buyer that I am, I did practically everything she asked meaning a lot of her job too. Yes, yes... Under normal conditions (not pregnant) I would not have been so kind and agreeable, hence the LAST 2 WEEKS I've been back. SC is hypocritical, moody, selfish, and (more negative adjectives) person I've ever met, well at least one of the top ones for sure. I finally had to tell her exactly what was on my mind. So yes, you can imagine how that an hour long conversation went. I wish I recorded it, I was so proud of myself. Anyhow, just to give an idea of what she's like, here is a SC quote from that conversation: "Didn't your mother ever teach you that whispering is rude?" SC is very intolerant of people whispering around her because she is VERY insecure about herself. So insecure that she went to HR to tell them that I (and our other associates) were whispering in the office. So you see how her priorities are a little "mixed up". Anyhow, I believe I handled it beautifully and went to HR myself to tell them how unprofessional she was having to bring my mother into the conversation and workplace. Lovely lovely situation that I have here. So okay... As much as I believe I can make her life miserable too, I would LOVE to leave the company now. I can't take the stress of acting like her friend when I can't stand being anywhere near her.

People: I need a new job. Any insight/ideas?????

DISCLAIMER: For those who had previously read a "different" version of this entry, thanks for doing so! I had to edit this entry because you never know who will be reading this even though this blog is meant for only family and friends. People spy a lot these days so beware! Now of all things, isn't THAT RUDE?!!!!

First Solid Food!

Another milestone for Miss Isabel! Today she tried her first solid vegetable - carrots! We actually tried to give her rice cereal last week but she didn't really think too much of it. So today when we tried carrots, she really really liked it! I'm sure that the carrots had more taste than the rice cereal which doesn't really taste like anything. I tried the carrots and they were pretty good for something that has absolutely nothing bad in it. We're eating Earth's Best brand and so far it seems to be ok. We're giving her a couple days of carrots and then we're going on to sweet potatoes...then peas!

It's extremely messy! The next few times during the day were better. She ate a whole jar! I think these experiences are more for us than it is for her. We get totally excited over first foods and even when I buy her new toys, I can't wait for her to try it. I just want to see the look she has! I know it sounds absolutely insane but I am going to be really sad when she passes these milestones and grows up. I am really going to miss her baby times and will want another one real soon!

We know that the tv is going to be a bit of a problem for Isabel since we both absolutely adore it. I am not going to be very good at not letting her watch it. So far, she's watched everything we have watched but we're trying to get her to like her own baby appropriate shows. Die Hard is not for babies! Comcast has a bunch of free shows On Demand which she likes. To Ben's delight, she enjoys hockey too.

On another note, she's growing! At her 4 month check up she was 25" long and 15.5 lbs. She is in the 75th percentile of babies her age. I've already had to pack A LOT of her newborn clothes and some she didn't even get a chance to wear. An outfit was lucky if she had it on even twice! Note to self next time around, newborns don't need a lot of clothes! Thank god her clothes are tiny and they don't even fill up one box.

First weeks of 2008

For Christmas and New Year's we spent it in Greensburg, PA with Ben's family. One of the biggest accomplishments for Isabel was that she no longer got too fussy when she was on her tummy. She can actually enjoy tummy time and watch tv for awhile before getting tired. She had a wonderful time with Grandpa and Grandma Bayani. It even snowed while we were there! Her first white New Year's!

After spending a lot of time in both Grandpa Bayani and Grandpa Chih's La-Z Boys, we had to get one! It would take only 5 min to get her to sleep and napping in those chairs. Most of the time, we fell asleep in it with her cuz it was so comfy. We came home on Friday and on Saturday we bought one at a furniture store on Stevens Creek. This one is great since it's super oversized and it's not microfiber but soft brushed cotton? I actually think it's like teddy bear fur.... We hunted for it at 4 stores and saw a few different styles but once we saw this one, the hunt was over!

Isabel on her way to her 4 month check up for more shots. Poor thing doesn't know it yet. All she knows is that she's warm and comfy in her white coat! What a cutie! She looks like a snow bunny when you see the whole outfit on.

First Boo Boo!

This afternoon while Ben and I were taking Carlo (Ben's older brother) to the airport, Isabel decided that she could get out of her swing all by herself. Unfortunately, being 1 foot off the ground and lacking most of her hand and eye coordination at 4 months, she fell flat on her face. We weren't there to witness the fall but Ben's parents were. I definitely think the grandparents were more traumatized then we were. I have heard of a lot of stories from other parents but I didn't think ours was going to come but it did. So now, yes, we understand why there are safety belts on those swings! She is actually outgrowing her swing too so I think she was trying to tell us something. She's a big girl and she can get out herself! So today was her first OOOPs! I think she's fine and she didn't cry very much so I'm sure everything is ok. So if all you parents can give me some reassurance please do!

Jessica: I remember your story about Lexy falling out of her swing... Now I know what you're talking about!

Updates on Isabel: For the past two months, Isabel has been sleeping through the night. Her last feeding is at 9:30pm and she sleeps till 7 or 8am in the morning. Occasionally she'll wake up during the night but I just rock her back to sleep. Depending on the consistency of her feeding schedules, she's usually asleep by 10pm. Oh what a difference than when she first came home! The funny thing now is that Ben and I totally think that we've got it down and with our 2nd (when that time comes) I think we won't be amateurs anymore! Isabel can hold her head up really well and is great in her bouncer. She can also laugh, giggle and babble. She responds to conversations and talks a TON. This was her first plane ride and on the way here to Pittsburgh she was really good. She pretty much slept the entire time. Now for the way back...I'm a little more concerned since it won't be a red eye flight. She is curious about everything and can track images and people. She especially loves TV (I know, I know...) and movies like Die Hard (yes, I know!). Oh and she hates to lie down, she constantly needs to be held like she's walking or doing push ups so she's sitting. I've ordered that Bebepod so I hope she'll like that. Wheeew! Lot's of updates but she's a growing girl!

A Happy New Year RANT

Today is the start of another new year and this time around we have Isabel here with us. She is a wonderful baby and such a joy to Ben, Ozzie, and I (well I hope Ozzie thinks so). So don't misunderstand my feelings for her as I go into this little rant of mine.

With each year of course there are the creations of optimistic New Year's resolutions. I don't know if this year is a year I want to make a list of resolutions or even attempt to. I feel that although Isabel is here with us and makes me really happy, I feel that 2008 is a year of upcoming hardships. I think these are obstacles that I've never faced before and feelings that I don't think I ever had.

One huge piece of news is that I AM returning to work. With the help of my family, it's possible for me to return to work and see if I can work out the whole "working mom" thing. I guess if I didn't then my decision to stay at home would had been SO much easier. I have mixed feelings about this of course with the larger portion of the "mixed" portion leaning to the disappointment that I have about returning to work. I don't mind work, it's not hard at all. I think the hard part is dealing with stupid crap as with all jobs, stupid people making stupid decisions and creating ridiculous reasons to do this or that. I think if we all cut out that part of our jobs we would be such happier and productive people. And then there is the absolutely ridiculous cost of living here in California that requires us to ignore our families just so we can make it by... somehow, this doesn't make any sense yet we do it everyday till the day we die.

One thing that I made me feel really guilty about returning to work was a little incident that happened today as I was surfing the web. I was looking for a play group, a moms group, any group that I could find in my area that I could take Isabel to so she can get some baby to baby interaction. Unfortunately, the cold hard reality was, um... mothers needed to be AVAILABLE during the day to take their babies to these activities. OKAY, a big strike for me and here comes the wave of guilt.

I guess in conclusion my only glimmer of optimism that I have is that hopefully something will work out this year. I don't know what it is but I hope it's good - Isabel is worth it.