Skip to main content

A new beginning

By
Life is full of beginnings and ends.  It's a cycle of learning, failures, and triumph.  At the start of 2015, my family is at the beginning of building a new life, in a new city.  As I reflect back on 2014, I am mostly glad to have left it as it seems most people are, according to my YouTube feed.  This move has been the single most challenging and trying obstacle in my life...ever, even more than childbirth.  There are bits of joy sprinkled in there though, like the surprise farewell girl's day that Kelly arranged.  I'm truly touched when someone speaks my love language to me.

Last moments at school before departure

It was a bittersweet farewell when we left baby E's school too.  Seeing baby E grow into toddler E over the past year has been rewarding and in no small part due to his teachers' encouragement and love.  From celebrating his ability to lift his head to standing and walking by himself now, has been rewarding.  His temper tantrums are not fun, but they all come with the territory.  Terrible twos?  Oh dear.  That's all I have to say.  I know that we wouldn't have been able to keep our sanity if it weren't for our moms this past year.  So, this year has definitely been a celebration of the family.  Thank god for family when life gets challenging.  

It's been really tough for me to see my friendships go by the wayside this year, ever since having baby E.  Especially when I still see those relationships flourishing with everyone else around me.  Although, I have to say, I was also pleasantly surprised with some.  I was so touched when Rob and Lisa made the trek across the bay to give us a proper send off and parting Christmas gift for baby E.
Thanks Uncle Rob & Auntie Lisa for Ethan's first Christmas gift of 2014!

I was also touched by the unexpected invitation to Kevin's childhood home to partake in what was our only holiday meal this year.  Of which resulted in our only family Christmas picture this year as well:
Merry Christmas 2014

Saying good bye to the bayarea and 2014 is overall, bittersweet.  It was definitely a year of challenges and resulting growth.  But, like I said at the beginning, it's all a cycle, right?  Here's lookin at you 2015.  You will be filled with triumphs.

Family selfie while picking up our last meal with friends


A sort of photo montage of 2014:
New type of laundry = new life
First Muir Woods trip (& first long trip away from home for E)
Happy baby E
Meeting Uncle Basrai for the first time
First and last picture of his nursery
Meeting my family for the first time
Meeting my grandma for the first time, his great grandma!
Snuggling with Dad's baby blankie for the first time
Lifting his head for the first time
First Costco run!
First day of school
First artwork of many to come from school
One of many haircuts by mommy, but not his first
Sushi art courtesy of Lam (baby E's first time visiting Auntie Shannon's new house)
My first mother's day gifts
Baby E's first real solid food (avocado)
Our first kid birthday, Happy Birthday Max!
Baby E's first drink from a straw (ice water at a Vietnamese restaurant)
First Father's Day

July 4th hotpot @ Boiling Point
July 4th Fireworks
First real family vacation: on the Hearst Castle tour
Dad and baby E @ Big Sur: a first for all!
Baby E's first baby shower: Happy Baby Shower Kelly!
Rita's lovely Bridal Shower: recipe scrapbook, bridal bingo, and food galore!
Our first real photoshoot as a family (baby E is 10 months here)

First Pumpkin Patch experience

baby E as a nerd for Halloween @ school
First wedding of the year, Happy Wedding Kevin!
2nd wedding: Happy Wedding Cousin Caleb & Christina!
Final wedding of the year, Sugoi Lam & Rita!
Baby E's first birthday
Finding our new forever home
Baby E meeting Baby M for the first time
Baby E's first real shoes
Baby E a pro at walking with his walker
One of Baby E's last baths in our bayarea home
Our first new refrigerator purchase in our new home
Baby E's first car nap outside of H Mart in our new neighborhood

Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2015 at 7:36:00 PM CST

    Such an awesome post. Loved seeing snapshots of Ethan's first year and the wonderful blessings in your life. Congratulations on your beautiful home! May this New Year bring you great joy, new adventures and memorable moments. Miss you!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sacrifice

By
Having a second child has been more difficult for me than expected.  I was not prepared for the heartache of what literally felt like a breaking up or falling out with the love of my life: my first born.  I had not read about this in any blogs, vlogs, or anything.  I mean, I had read about the difficulty of managing your time between two kids, but no one mentioned how difficult it would be to step back from your obsession with your first and only child to love another.  It did make me resent my time alone with Leila a bit in the beginning because that meant Ethan was off having fun with daddy while I was stuck at home sustaining a newborn.  My first love was learning about a life beyond mama.  It felt like knife wounds to the heart.  This is how I came to realize what it really means to sacrifice.  I willingly give up something that I hold so dear and close to my heart for the sake of someone else.  It hurts and it is an uphill battle to try to make amends with those that feel wronged
Post a Comment
Read more

For the First Timers

By
My friend Isabel recently asked me about my must haves for new parents, and it inspired me to post about all the things I wish someone told me as a new parent. First, cherish this time that you're welcoming your first child.  It might be your one and only or it might be one of many.  But, it will be a very special time because this child is what makes you a mom for the first time.  I think back on the time when I was caring for Ethan as a baby, and it just seemed so innocent and special then.  Also, you cannot spoil your baby.  Nevermind what parents from an older generation say; It is not possible to spoil a baby.  It's true that the baby will develop habits based on what you do, but there is time later for setting good behaviors. It's true that you don't need a lot to take care of a baby, but there are some things that are around these days that make life a bit easier.  I remember reading Charles Duhigg's "The Power of Habit" book last year and how i
1 comment
Read more

Subscription Box Loves

By
Ever since becoming a mom, convenience has been the name of the game.  Believe it or not, it's difficult to even find time to get to the market.  Therefore, I'd say about 99% of my shopping happens online now.  Subscription boxes have become a staple for me.  I used to be subscribed to birchbox, the makeup/skincare sample service, but a girl only needs so many sample packets.  Once I found out about these 3 below, I was hooked.     First, is my citrus lane subscription box.  It's a service that delivers stuff that my baby can use.  I should also mention that ever since becoming a mom, I have developed a baby stuff buying addiction.  If there's an AA group for that, I probably should join it.  But, in my defense, if there's something that can help make our lives easier, funner, or smarter for baby, what parent would deny that?  I've gotten 3 boxes so far, and I've really liked/used every item I've received.  In my most recent august box, my favorite item
1 comment
Read more