I can file this under the “Shameless Mom” category, but I don’t care.  I entered Jack’s picture into a local radio station’s beautiful baby contest. Voting begins today! Please go vote if you can … all you need is a valid email address. You don’t have to register for anything (you just have to click on a link once from your email to validate your vote), and you don’t have to scroll through any pictures to vote if you don’t want to.

So, click here to get to the contest page. Then, if you just want to go straight to voting without seeing the pictures, click the little “vote” button under the bigger button that says “View I-J Galleries.” Jack is contestant 17, so choose that and then enter your email address. You’ll get an email that has a link in it for you to click. You have to click on it, or your vote doesn’t count. When you click on it, you just get taken to a page that looks like the voting page, but where you can’t choose any of the numbers. (If you do want to look at the photos before you vote, just click on the “View I-J Galleries” button first. I think I may have accidentally entered two pictures of Jack, once as Jack, and once as Jackson, so stop once you get to Jack! I don’t like the “Jackson” one as much and don’t want to split votes that way.)

Thank you! Voting ends Sunday.

We’ve had a very relaxing weekend. Saturday, I went to Bar Method in the morning, then to the Stinking Rose for lunch with Gesina, where we had some great conversations over a delicious, garlicky lunch. You might remember that Gesina and I are running the Disneyland Half-Marathon together … that race is now only four weeks away! Eeeeek! Saturday afternoon, I rejoined my boys at home. After Jack’s afternoon nap, we all went for a dip in the pool.

Today, we bought Johnny some new jeans, and Jack had a wonderful time at the playground in the mall. On the way back from the mall, we stopped at Sports Authority, where I bought a lightweight white running hat by Under Armour and some energy gel to try out before race day (thanks for the great tips, Gesina!). Other than that mid-day outing, we just chilled at home. After Jack went to bed, I ran my long run of the week … eight miles. I was kind of dreading it before I went out there, but you know, it felt really great! I felt really light on my feet, and I got to try out my new running hat and my green apple flavored gel. My running shorts have a zippered pocket in the back that’s just the right size for a gel packet (I could probably fit two in there on race day), and it was cinch to get it out mid-run, tear off the top and squeeze the gel into my mouth. As you can probably imagine, the gel was rather salty. After I got used to salty-sweet green apple flavor, it actually wasn’t bad. For the Philly half-marathon, I didn’t use any energy gels, I just drank water at the stations. I think that was a mistake, because today, I felt really energized even during the last half of the training run. When I got back, I saw that I had actually completed the run about seven minutes earlier than expected. I’m sure I didn’t miscalculate the distance I ran, either. So, that makes me feel pretty great! It’s even worth the soreness I feel from yesterday’s Bar Method and today’s running. However, let’s just say that tomorrow I will be taking a rest from all exercise.

After the run, I made some dinner, then did about an hour’s worth of work. I’m sure Jack will be waking us at 6 a.m., as usual, so I should really get some shut-eye. But, first I have to share some pictures of Jack.

June bought Jack this adorable outfit in Seattle. Note the front and back views (the front says “Lil Pirate”)

I call this the “Jack torments Atari” series. Don’t worry, Atari is yawning in the first pic, not snarling

Look at Jack’s wild post-nap hair!

He’s getting better and better at walking. I love seeing him in his Robeez

Clinging to my skirt at the mall playground today

Finally, I just had to share this picture because I think Jack looks so beautiful in it, if I do say so myself! I submitted this one to a beautiful baby contest for a local radio station. I’ll tell you all when it’s time to vote!

I’ve finished my last day as a full-time employee (for now, anyway). I now officially report to the little man — Jack, that is (of course, I’ll always be the boss of him)!  I have my contracting work (up to 20 hours a week) to help bring in some extra money and keep my professional skills sharp, but I’m devoting the bulk of my time and energy to my family. Yay!

Of course, it was a tad bittersweet to leave the office. I’ve been working full-time for six years, and in this particular office for two years. I will miss seeing my friends at work every day, and I really did love the Starbucks downstairs … by the time I left, I had gotten to the point where the baristas would see me and say, “The usual, Beverly?” and whip up a tall skinny vanilla latte for me. Now, Jack might look at me and say, “The usual, Mommy?” and proceed to pull all the books off of the bookshelf.  But, I wouldn’t trade more time with Jack for anything right now. Since I returned to work from maternity leave, I’ve felt home calling to me. My boss took our group out to a goodbye lunch today, and she said, “You look happier than you’ve looked in months.” It’s true!

I’m ecstatic to be home with my baby. We’re going to hang out by the pool with a friend and her baby on Monday, going to get his first “big boy haircut” with Aunt June on Wednesday, and starting a tumbling “class” at baby gym next Thursday … all the mom-and-baby things I’ve wanted to do for the last eight and a half months. Woo-hoo!

All that being said, I’m a bit nervous for this transition, as with all other changes. Tomorrow afternoon, Johnny and I are going to pick up some items to help build up my home office — a fax machine (still necessary in my line of work, believe it or not!), some (hopefully attractive) filing/drawer solutions, stationery, things like that. I have things due starting Monday. I am hoping I can juggle it all. Wish me luck!

Now for a more light-hearted entry, finally!

Jack and I joined Johnny at Comic-Con in San Diego this past weekend. Johnny was working hard for the Mattel booth, although he did take time out to take some fun pictures (and also to visit with Jody‘s husband John, fellow Comic-Con attendee. By the way, for Jody’s Xanga readers, Jody and John are now proud parents of Noah Kim!   I got a picture text yesterday but don’t know the details … I’ll let Jody and John update about that themselves!).

Here are the pics:

Johnny in the Mattel booth, and holding D-Rex, an awesome dinosaur robot who responds to touch and to commands, available in mid-October. We are definitely getting one! Johnny’s department is in charge of marketing for the little guy.

Matty, Mattel’s new mascot for mattycollector.com (aimed at action figure collectors — think 40-Year-Old-Virgin types), dukes it out with “Faker Matty.” On the right, Johnny with the Mattel booth babes.

Johnny with some Ugly Dolls. Wage is my favorite (he’s the orange one). Did you know there’s now also a miniature version of Wage, called “Minimum Wage”? Hahahaha. And, Johnny with the ever-adorable Pikachu.

Jack with an Ugly Doll

Jack and Johnny with some action hero. Is it Iron Man? I’m not sure. I think Johnny will probably smack his forehead in shame when he realizes that I don’t know who this is.

Jack enjoyed the Lego booth! He loved playing with the duplos.

After visiting Comic-Con, we made our way back to the hotel, where we wanted to give Jack a bath. Alas, the hotel had a very luxurious shower, but no tub. So we tried to make do with the too-small sink. Jack was unhappy.

My parents, they torture me so!

The next morning, we went out for a leisurely breakfast al fresco, where Johnny coveted Jack’s sliced bananas.

Also, I wanted to share these cute pictures with you, of Jack goofing off last night. He’s really good at toddling around now!

We put him in the big boy bed just for a fun picture. How cute is this?

Update: OK, how this for more craziness: We just had an earthquake! Everyone in the office is super freaked now. Because we are in a high rise, the building is designed to sway on its rollers after a quake, so it just stopped swaying a little bit ago. The quake was a magnitude 5.6 in Chino Hills, which is not that far away. I mean, we live in SoCal … of course there are quakes all the time, but to come on the heels of the murder last night?! Insane.

*****

Last night at 6:30 p.m., a woman was murdered in the parking garage of my office building, where I’ve parked my car every weekday for the last two years.  She was stabbed multiple times in the neck as she walked to her car — her attacker was hiding between two cars, apparently. Here is a link to the story on LAtimes.com. It was still broad daylight, and it was on the third floor of the garage — not even in the basement (where I like to park because there are more spaces there). Plus, there were several witnesses. There are security  guards in the building and at the pay booths for the garage, but anyone can walk in there. I mean, 6:30 p.m. is not that late of a time to leave — before I had Jack, there were lots of times when I left after that.

Police are still looking for the killer, who fled in a red SUV. I’m sure it was a premeditated attack — random stabbings don’t just happen in business districts, but it still has everyone shaken up. I had June drive me to work this morning. I know it’s silly and irrational, but I just don’t want to walk to and from the garage. I don’t have many days left at the office, anyway. Plus, I’m a little (OK, a lot) superstitious when it comes to things like this, and I’m convinced that the poor woman’s ghost is haunting the parking garage, looking to take a happy soul because she’s bitter about her unjust death. Laugh if you want! Even Johnny did, but it really does scare me.

Also, I’m sure that many of you now think I live in the sketchiest area possible — first, I was hit by a car, and now someone is killed in my work parking garage?? But, those of you familiar with LA know that Century City, where I work, is not a sketchy neighborhood. Our building has lots of legal firms, talent agencies and PR companies in it. The whole neighborhood is full of high-rises, office buildings and nice hotels. That’s what makes it even scarier! Yikes.

So, Jack has a temper! Is anyone surprised? Haha.  (Both Johnny and I have pretty fiery tempers. His is difficult to rile up; mine is starts up really fast, but subsides equally quickly.)

I got my first glimpse of toddler troubles ahead at lunch today. I’m working from home, so June came over to watch Jack. We took a lunch break and went to the new Korean restaurant on Sawtelle, Tofu Villa. After I fed Jack his lunch, our food came, so I set out some of those Gerber Yogurt Meltaways — they look like the yogurt drops that you feed to hamsters as a treat, and they taste kind of like a meringue, but berry-flavored — to keep him happy while we scarfed our food down. Of course, Jack enjoyed the sweet treat, and when he finished the yogurt drops, he started clamoring for some more. I had my formula-dispenser-turned-into-snack-wheel with me, so I poured him out a few Cheerios, usually a favorite, because I didn’t think he should have any more of those sweet yogurt things. Well, lo and behold, Jack’s face turned red and he started screaming. He also swept his hand violently among the Cheerios, sending them flying to the floor. Then he pointed at the exact compartment in the dispenser where the yogurt drops were, making it super clear what he wanted.

June and I looked at each other and kind of laughed. I mean, in a way, it was cute that Jack knew exactly what he wanted, and it’s reassuring that he has the cognitive ability to tell me about it. But, I told him in a stern voice that he wasn’t going to get yogurt drops by screaming, and we left the restaurant. I think Jack’s at an age where he can at least begin to understand that there are consequences for his actions. At the very least, as June put it, you don’t want to reward screaming with yogurt drops.

When we got home, I refilled the yogurt drops compartment of the dispenser in preparation for my trip to San Diego. I didn’t know Jack was looking. He started screaming again when he saw the yogurt drops and realized that he wasn’t getting any. Seriously, those yogurt drops are evil. Thanks for nothing, Gerber!

Oh, and this is my last work-from-home Friday! Next Friday is my first day as a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom. I guess in a way, all my days will be work from home days — after Jack goes to bed, or while he naps, I’ll be doing my contract work. I can’t wait!

As of today, Johnny and I have been married for four years! (And together for nine and a half years. ) Last year we had the best anniversary present ever: Jack. Our fourth year of marriage has really flown by, and although I think every year has been great, this has probably been the best year yet. We’ve faced many challenges and enjoyed just as many joys (if not more) on the road of new parenthood. Although I didn’t think it possible, becoming parents really has brought us closer. Every day, we continue to marvel at having created someone as amazing as Jack.

Of course, it’s not all about Jack. I feel so lucky in my marriage because I can truly count on Johnny, I genuinely enjoy his company, and sometimes I still get all schoolgirl-nervous around him. Johnny does helpful and thoughtful things so automatically that I’ve grown used to them, but when I stop to think about it, not every husband does dishes, takes out trash, vaccuums, dusts and chages diapers without asking, or shares all of the details of his day, or encourages his wife to go out and do something for herself, or tells her that she’s beautiful every day, or truly loves her family, or helps her clean herself up at the hospital one day postpartum without so much as a complaint (because it’s definitely not a pretty sight!). When Johnny is away, I miss him just as much as I did the first summer we were apart. I’m not as melodramatic about it these days (no time or energy), but the emotions are the same. 

Speaking of being away, unfortunately Johnny and I are not in the same place today. Johnny is working at the Mattel booth at Comic-Con. But, I will be joining him tomorrow night, with Jack! Yay! In the meantime, my awesome sister is taking care of Jack, so I’ll go home tonight to delightful company!

Now that I’ve reeled you in with the title of this entry, I’ll make you wait until the end to read about Jack’s first steps. ::evil laughter::

We had a wonderful weekend. As I mentioned, Friday night we took June and Charles to Mastro’s to celebrate her 23rd birthday for about the sixth time (she was in Taiwan on her actual birthday, so she celebrated with my parents there, and then with Charles and their friends when she returned to the States, and on Friday with us!). As an appetizer, we got the amazing iced seafood tower with lobster tails, giant shrimp cocktail and crab claws. They even put dry ice in the tower, so it looked beautiful as well as tasty.  Unfortunately, we forgot our camera, so I’ll have to steal June’s pictures sometime.

Saturday, we saw June and Charles again, because they came over to join us for lunch with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bill. June and I wore matching outfits for fun. While June was in Taiwan, they bought two amazing dresses – one for June and one for me. The sash can be tied about 20 different ways, and there’s even a bustle under the skirt so you can make it a shorter or longer skirt. You can also wear the dress as a skirt. Check out how June and I are sporting different skirt lengths!

After hanging out for a bit, we went to The Counter in Santa Monica for lunch. It’s a place where you can build your own burgers. Jack had his first taste of sweet potato fries. He loved ‘em so much, he double-fisted.

Speaking of eating, I have found new life for my formula dispensers! Check out my amazing wheel-o-baby-snacks:

I know it’s not the most original idea, but it’s working out great. I have Cheerios in one compartment, Gerber’s fruit-and-yogurt metls in the next, organic Elmo-shaped Cheddar crackers, and Gerbers cherry puffs. Jack is going to be the coolest toddler on the playground, oh yeah!

Today, we met up with our friends Jill and Mike, and their baby Maddie, who is only three days older than Jack. Jill and I belong to an online forum of moms who gave birth in July 2007. We went to Eco Station in Culver City, which takes in abandoned wildlife animals. Jack got to touch an iguana for the first time; it was awesome! Back to the main point, though — we had lots of fun hanging out with Jill and Mike and Maddie! Maddie was so adorable and smart. I loved watching her and Jack play (and later hang in the pool) together.

I got a peek of what sibling relations might be like. At one point, Maddie was drinking from her sippy cup. Even though he’d rejected his cup only seconds ago, Jack suddenly wanted his own sippy of milk like nothing else. Haha.

The two of them loved frolicking in the water!

The afternoon passed quickly, and then we had to say goodbye to Mike, Jill and Maddie for now. We’ll hang out again soon, though!

Maddie, Jill, me and Jack

After Jack’s nap, he practiced walking! Now, Jack’s been waking a couple of steps unassisted, and he’s been cruising (holding on to furniture while walking) for a while now. But, today was the first time he covered distance unassisted! We moved furniture around our living room and set things up so enticing toys were on various “islands.” It started out with Jack standing unassisted.

However, he quickly moved on to what you see in this montage video (all taken this afternoon):

Amazing, isn’t it??

We had Jack’s one-year well-check today, almost a week after his first birthday.

Weight: 21.5 pounds (50th percentile, still — Jack’s been very consistent since day one!)
Height: 31.5 inches (75th to 90th percentile! He grew 1.5 inches since a month ago!)

The doctor says he’s a naturally slender baby, so to keep doing what we’re doing. Of course, I was like, “Ack, does he need to eat more?” and the pediatrician looked at me like I had two heads. I said that I see all these babies with cute rolls, and I want Jack to have them, too. But he told me that based on mine and Johnny’s size, Jack will probably never have those rolls. All I know is, I definitely had those rolls when I was a baby, and I know plenty of cutely padded babies whose parents are slim. Oh well! I think he takes after June’s body type. Anyway, I’m very happy that he’s so tall, and got a clean bill of health.

Jack’s been doing well on the table foods. For his morning snack today, he had some asparagus and cheese. Lunch was the last of the braised beef, sweet potato and spinach puree. After his nap, he’ll have grapes and strawberries. Dinner is some of the last chicken bolognese puree, followed by the typical dessert of plain yogurt mixed with papaya. And of course he gets milk with his meals. Next week it’ll be all table foods, because I’m about to run out of the chicken bolognese stuff in the freezer. We’ll see how it goes!

Hope you all have a good weekend. Tonight, we’re going to Mastro’s with June and Charles to belatedly celebrate June’s 23rd birthday. Yay!

No real theme to this entry, just some random Thursday thoughts!

• Johnny and I both got sick after our vacation. Johnny came down with a cold on our last day there (it was inevitable, since it seemed like everyone was sick at one point or another on the trip), then I got it yesterday. I was going to run four miles after work for my training, but I thought better of it because my throat felt like it was swollen shut, and I was extremely disoriented. Before bed, Johnny made me take a Mucinex pill, which I protested. I hate taking medication and avoid it whenever possible. Even after my c-section, I took as few painkillers as possible because I really fear swallowing pills. (There’s also a pride thing, like: “Ha, I can take you on, pain!” or in this case, “Bring it on, cold! Let’s see what you’ve got!”) Luckily, Johnny is a saint, and patiently waited by the side of the bed with the pill and a glass of water in hand, while I acted like a two-year-old, burying my head under the pillow and saying, “You can’t make me!” Finally I relented and swallowed the pill, which was huge and reminded me of prenatal vitamins, ick. But, I have to tell you — Mucinex works!!!! My in-laws were lauding the powers of Mucinex last week, and they’re right. This morning, I am almost all better. My runny nose is gone, and my throat is only 25% swollen shut.
• I need to get back on my workout routine. I slacked quite a bit during our vacation, and then yesterday I felt too bad to run. Tonight, I’m going out there and conquering those four miles. Saturday, it’s six miles. And Sunday, I’m going to Bar class with my friend Tomomi. No more procrastinating! Otherwise August 31 will roll around and I’ll be crawling across the finish line.
• We’re transitioning Jack to table foods. It’s time to stop the puree party, now that he’s one. Seeing Audrey, who’s 15 months old, last week has really prompted me to get my butt in gear. She eats all table foods — it was so funny (and amazing) to watch her gnawing on a chicken burrito. It’s been really fun and easy to make the purees and just defrost what Jack needs for the next day. I haven’t had to think about adjusting mine and Johnny’s meal times or menus to take Jack into account. However, although the food I’ve been making for him has been chunky in consistency for the last couple of months, it’s really time for him to eat table foods and start feeding himself for his meals (instead of just his snacks). Jack’s been having Cheerios, cheese, banana slices, cut-up grapes and whole blueberries as finger foods for a while now, but this week I’ve incorporated even more table foods. Yesterday he fed himself a veggie medley of edamame beans, cut-up red pepper and sweet corn, with strips of mozzarella cheese, for instance. For breakfast one day he had cheese toast strips, and some banana slices. So far, so good! I’m going to put away the baby food cookbook until the next baby and venture bravely into the world of table foods. Wish us luck! Oh and also, Jack’s done with bottles and formula. On to sippy cups and whole milk. Yay!

Oh, and a random note: Jack hates rice! What’s up with that? My baby hates rice? I don’t think he got the memo that he’s half-Asian. I suppose I should be rejoicing that Jack might not end up to be a carb junkie like his mommy, but this hatred of rice brings shame onto his family.

• Finally, 10 more work days (counting today) until my last day. Yay!