1 year being in a new city anniversary!

Yup, that's right! We have been here 1 full year. Today marks the year anniversary of when we made that one and a half hour trek down 64 East. We left everything behind - our family & what we have known our whole lives (for J at least. Not in my case. I was born and raised 'til I was 16 in a totally different country) to start something new and different.

A year later, I am still discovering new things and finding my way around town. I know where to go for my basic needs of grocery store, Starbucks, Target, shopping and restaurants. I am at a job that I love in a city that I am able to tolerate and hopefully love one day.

Do I miss Richmond? Absolutely!

Do I regret moving? Not one bit.
Will I do it again? More than likely, yes, but maybe to a different city.

Ten on Tuesday

I was reading my Google Reader and saw that BB&B linked up with Roots and Rings. I am refusing to do work right now so I am linking up, too!

Bahahaha. I just realized that today is Wednesday and NOT Tuesday. Oops.

1. What is your favorite brand of shoes?
I can't live without my Rainbow flip flops or Uggs when it gets chilly out. I have branched out though and like Tory Burch Revas and TOMS.

2. How old were you when you learned to tie your shoes?
I have no clue.

3. How do you feel about freckles?
They're cute.

4. I can count to ten in ___ languages.
Four. English, Spanish, Tagalog and Chinese.

5. What is your favorite store-bought ice cream flavor?
Edy's Rocky Road!

6. Were you in ballet or gymnastics as a little girl?
Nope.

7. Who is your favorite Sesame Street character?
None of them. Elmo's laugh is really creepy to me and I don't watch the show enough to really have a favorite.

8. What’s your bedtime?
It varies but usually it's between 9p & 10 on the weekdays and around 11 on the weekends.

9. Do you have any jewelry that you wear every single day?
I wear my engagement ring, wedding ring, DY bracelet, earrings and necklace.

10. Who is the bug killer in your household?
Depends how fast and big the thing is. Usually me 'cause J is too wrapped up playing PS3. Ha!

'Twas the night before Irene

(source: wavy.com)

I'm writing this post in the comfort of a plush king size bed beside a snoozing toddler and an exhausted husband. The past couple of days has been occupied with thoughts of Irene and the havoc she's supposed to bring with her. I don't know what news you are watching if you're unaware of Irene.

The area of town where we live is very prone to flooding. Five minutes of rain and you have to bust out your wellies. There was no question if we were leaving or not. It was a matter of when.

It's quiet outside. No rain and no wind. For now, we wait and see what happens and hope that we can come home at some point to a place with power, running water and no flooding.

My thoughts go out to everyone up and down the East coast. Stay safe and dry. I know I'll be spending a lot of time watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, coloring and snacking on Cheerios.

SMS @ the playground

Our Saturday morning scene was spent at the playground. We took J with us this time. Kayla had fun using the big girl slide. But of course, the swing is still her favorite!

DSLR - A week later

I haven't used my point and shoot since the day I got the big camera. The last time I touched it was this morning so I could take it out of the baby bag. Ha! I've been on a mission to learn how to use this thing. There are so many buttons and options and it's a bit overwhelming. But it's pointless to have this type of camera if you're going to stay on full auto mode. In my defense, I wasn't in full auto mode this whole time. I was on the mode where the flash was turned off. Pictures are much nicer to me when the flash is off and I was already doing this even with my P&S.

During my Google session last night in search for a pretty strap I stumbled upon Click It Up A Notch. I read posts all over her site and bookmarked this one. I really think that I'm slowly getting it a little bit. I even took the little one to the park today, armed with a little bit of knowledge, a camera & the happiest little model.

If you are still shooting in auto mode, run over to Courtney's site and read around. I'm sure you will learn a thing or two! Yes, I know, she is in sandals and white shorts. Parent fail today but she had a blast!

Today is my Sunday

I worked 12 straight days and was able to take off yesterday & today. Kayla and I have been hanging out since Sunday but I took her to school today so I can get things done (read: pedicure and groceries).

We had such a great weekend! This child is such a mess that I am either cracking up or scratching my head. She is at such a fun age right now! Her new thing nowadays is asking "adooning, mommy?". That's "what are you doing, mommy" in Kayla talk. Sometimes I am so focused in what I am doing and take a while to respond to her. This is when she starts yelling momma instead of the usual mommy. She also likes to roll-call and goes down the line to ask where everyone is.

Potty training has been wonderful. She is finally going #2 in the potty. This was a challenge in the beginning. I think it was just strange to her. She gets M&M's after #2 and this could be the reason why it's been working out so far. There's no reward in regular potty which she knows so she's been tricking me that she pooped when she really didn't. She's also curious as to where things go after we flush the toilet.

She's also been playing with her babies a lot recently. She likes to tell me that baby is hungry while she proceeds to either stuff the baby's mouth with her toy-ketchup or toy-maple syrup. She's even shoved one of the baby's in her potty 'cause the baby apparently had to go.

I also got our new camera this weekend. And no, I do not plan on going into the photography business just 'cause I now have a DSLR. And yes, I have become that mother who now takes a ton of pictures which I am so happy about. I was going through the pictures on our computer one time and realized how in one of the months there were very few pictures. I plan to change that. I am definitely in paparazzi mode and I am just glad that Kayla likes to ham it up in front of the camera. She often tells me "I cheese, mommy!".