Need

I need maternity clothes. I'm busting out of my tops. My pants zip up but it's so uncomfortable and combined with fitted shirts gives me a muffin top.

Here are some pix from the weekend.
Oli had her first mani and she LOVES it. Such a girly girl!
O and CONGRATULATIONS to SB ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!!!!

Weekend

Weekend rundown:

-Wegmans
-cleaned the house top to bottom
-dinner at Arigato Sushi with Azusa and his mommy
-playground with the kiddies

-mini PTC meetup at Mrs. Smith's house. Met baby B for the first time. Such a pleasant disposition and such a cutie!
-BBQ at Mrs. Park's.
-Skype with parents

Lots of stuff this weekend. My phone is on the fritz. It's been dropped one too many times. I predict it's death very soon.

I'm so sleepy! Good nite!

Skype Date

With my Pypster <3

Lazy

I do not feel like doing anything. So far , the entire week has been like this.
The house really needs to be cleaned. Majorly. But for once, I don't really give a shit. Maybe I'm hoping that if it gets bad enough, Mr. Ho will be shocked enough to call the cleaners. This is never going to happen.

On the separate, more happy note, I spoke to my dear friend Mrs. Smith today! She just had her 2nd bebe 6 weeks ago. I just wanted to hear her birth story (we had semi similar labor stories with our firsts) and how it was like adjusting to having 2 kiddos. As I expected, it's rough. But worth it.

I have baby fever, guys. Today, it's at 98 degrees. On fi-yah. I just looked at some of Olivia's baby pictures and got all misty eyed. She was such a chubster :).

Circle Pizzas

Will forever remind me of Mrs. K Smith.

A+S

Thank you, girls!!!

True friends are hard to find.
But if yours are like mine,
Your life is surely divine!

...and scene.

Pyp

After how much love you showed me and this blog on Sunday, I just had to give you a little blog-lovin'! Thanks, babe! I love you!

And Olivia says HEY to your co-workers! :)

Immortalized

SB is great. She's so friendly and thoughtful. A great friend, sister, daughter. You are lucky to know her. Also quite gorgeous, so it's no surprise that she has been immortalized on the internet with this poem written by a fellow FHS classmate. She never knew he felt this way about her so to stumble across this GEM was quite surprising. AND the best damn thing I have ever read. God Bless the Internet.

Dedicated to SB...

I have memories of the smile
That would light the path for a mile,
And the sparkle in your eyes will
Keep the warmth through the night till
I get a chance to once again see
The girl who was everyday filled with glee
And had the power to make anyone happy
Simply with her exuberant energy.
How could such a person exist?
I could not make an ample list
That would explain this.
There is no reason, she just is.

Can I get a slow clap going right now? I love it so much. Whoever ends up being your MOH doesn't need to write a speech because this poem says it all.

PTC Brunch

As soon as I heard Olivia babble over the baby monitor, I got ready to meet my girlfriends in Baltimore. I had to leave around 930 AM to get gas and Lord knows I am terrible at parking so I knew it would take me some time, which it did. I think I circled the streets for about 30 minutes. Not only was I looking for a spot, but a spot I could just slide right into, because I suck at parallel parking.

Anyway, it was so great to see my PTC unit!!! I think the last time we all got together was for Fitz's wedding. So for the 7 of us to sit around a table and gab, was heaven. It was also lovely to have J'Matty and Josh with us for a bit.

I love how we can talk about anything and it's just a good time. I feel 16 again (in between the text messages and phone calls from Mr. Ho, that is). We laugh over everything, share stories, stuff our faces with food. We just needed a Friends marathon on the television and it would've been perfect!

Hearing everyone's stories about work, family, friends, love lives, gossip is the best. It's really nice to just escape the everyday routine once in awhile. I don't need to wild out and get rowdy on party buses anymore (although, I will if you need me to)! A talk with girlfriends is just what the doctor ordered!

Hello to my PTC friends if you are reading this! Hope to reunite again sooner rather than later! Besos!

Old friends, New friends

Today O and I drove to Frederick to meet with my girlfriends. It was a lovely time. We ate Panera bagels and bacon. Oli loved the bacon. She also loved playing with K's daughter. She's 3 so Olivia was fascinated with everything she did. I loved how affectionate SoRo was with her. She introduced Olivia to everyone as "her sister!". So cute!!!

Side note: do you ever reflect on the day's conversations and play them back in your mind? And then think about the dumb things you said, what you should of said instead, and wish for a re-do? I do this all the time. In the shower. And I always catch myself talking outloud and I totally dont mean too! Mr Ho is going to catch me one day and im going to be tres embarrassed.

Weekend Bullet Points

Here's what the Ho Family did this weekend:

• Mr. Ho played 3 games of football.
• Bought a couch! The Arhaus annual sale was too good to pass up.
• Grocery shopping at Wegmans.
• Olive spent time with Ma-Ma (Grandma Ho).
• Switched cable, internet, and home phone (we now have a home-line) to Verizon Fios.
• Skyped with Pyp!
• Mr. Ho woke up with Olive. Got to sleep in till 9!
• Brunch with a few PTC girls.
• Laundry
• Major back pain. Feeling like an old lady.
• Fiddled around with blog layout. I love it now.

Now I shall go shower, lather up with some St. Tropez Gradual Tan lotion, read a bit and sleep. G'nite my lovely blog readers.

VA Beaching

Olive, Mr. Ho, SIL and I are at the beach condo. So many fun memories here with the 3812 fam and PTC girls. Glad I can share this experience with my daughter!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday Night

Sunday nights are all the same. Unwinding from the weekend, getting ready for another week. I'm just sitting here at my desk in the kitchen, drinking wine, listening to Adele, and jotting down things-to-do in my planner. It's nice and quiet in the house. Mr. Ho's at football and Miss Olive is off in dreamland.

We had a good weekend. Yesterday was a rainy, miserable day. We went to the grocery store at 8 AM and then I did laundry and cleaned the house throughout the day. Mr. Ho made homemade ramen. It was Momofuku style. UNBELIEVABLY delicious!!!! It is an all-day affair but so worth the deliciousness! Today, I had lunch with Kim and Michelle at Wildfire. It was great to catch up with the ladies. Then we went to dinner with the in-laws and Olive's great-grandmother and Uncle Steve/Bong!

I had all these things I wanted to write and now I can't remember a damn thing.

Oh, here's one. While I'm sleeping and I have to pee in real life, I always dream about peeing. I search for a bathroom and it's always I either can't find one, the bathroom is filthy and I don't want to pee, or I sit on a toilet and no matter how hard I try, I just can't pee. Thank goodness I've never wet the bed. Haha.

So people keep asking me when I'm having another bebe. It's inevitable. Listen, I just want to enjoy Olivia. I want to relish in our little unit of 3. I want to feel normal for a little bit. And then we'll try again. Give me at least a year. Let me celebrate my 30th birthday in a drunken stupor and then we'll talk.

I have a picture of Miranda Kerr as my wallpaper on my iPhone as thinspiration but it's not working. I think I need to tattoo her hot body onto my hand or something. There is only one picture of her that really pisses me off though.


I hate it for 2 reasons.
1. She looks effing unbelievable after having a child! I looked a hot swollen mess.
2. I am super jealous of her beautiful baby at the boob. I still get really sad about that.

Anyway.

I took Oli to my grandparents on Friday. I always hate myself afterwards because I don't go there enough. They get such joy from seeing their great-granddaughter. What is wrong with me? We walked around Montgomery Mall afterwards. Zara has an AMAZING collection right now. It took SO MUCH self-control not to buy out the store. I just bought a couple of items because I have to remember I'll get to do some damage in California. I purchased a pair of pants, a navy blazer, a t-shirt dress, and a poofy skirt. I reluctantly put down a tank, shorts, and the CUTEST green dress. I was SO close to keeping the dress but I saw that the stitching was off and it was the last in my size so... *sigh*

I cleaned my closet yesterday. I got rid of 2 trashbags full of stuff and it didn't really make a dent. I really wish I had a personal stylist to bring me tons of options.

Ok. I think I'm going to take a shower. Nitey Nite Party People!

Update

I haven't updated for almost a month!! Things have been going well. My mother is in town for a week for my baby shower, which was beautiful and amazing. It was the first snow of the year so it was a bit hectic and the roads were scary. But I definitely felt the loveeee <3>

Danny has officially moved out. His new bachelor pad is sweet. I think he is really loving being alone, especially since his girlfriend is in town for her entire winter break.

I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner! I am done all my shopping. Just gotta do some major wrapping. Well, Mr. Ho is still responsible for his parents' gifts, but I know he'll take care of it. Even if it is at the very last minute! Ha! That is my husband for you.

Olivia is doing well. Squirming away all the time. I had my glucose screen a few days ago. Ugh. That drink you drink beforehand made me feel so ill... I am only a few weeks away from entering my third trimester! It's insane!! I can't believe she will be here soon. Whenever I see parents holding their babies, I just can't wait to hold mine and love her. I am in a crazy nesting stage. I just cleaned out closets and drawers in our house. I feel so good, but so exhausted - the trappings of having such a large house, I guess. I just need to buy some stuff and I think I'm ready for her! Well, the furniture needs to get here though ... So much to do, so little time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to DHuang, EFitz, and my cousin Hana. December 17th is such a big birthday-day.

Toodles!

More Birthday Love

Happy 28th to Pyp!

And had a wonderful time at Baby V's Dol yesterday. You may want to watch the video I made for her birthday, posted on BFFF's facebook page.

Such a lovely birthday weekend <3

Quickie

Happy birthday to my cousin-in-law, Mr. Wiltshire!

And happy birthday to Chelle Belle!

I am sitting here watching my brother and Mr. Ho play Madden 2010. And I just ate a delicious Pop Tart.

Have a good weekend, friends!

Hump Day Thoughts

I must be out of shape, folks.  Not only do I wake up hungry (such a rarity), but I have been super tired lately.  I did go to the gym last week (once) and it felt great.  I haven't been back since, but perhaps I will go tonight with Mr. Ho.  I dreamt about eating a Big Mac though.  And I really want some.  With some fries.  And a shake.  YUMMMM.  Yeah, it's 10 in the morning.

The wedding weekend went by so quickly!  We had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday.  I spent the night at Mrs. Smith's house.  They have a 10-month old baby, who got up 3-5 times during the night.  And needless to say, I got up each time with her and realized, "Dear Lord.  Am I ready for that??!"  I guess you have no choice and feel more inclined when the baby has come out of your lady parts, but still...  I love sleep.  I truly LOVE sleep.  Sleep and I are lovers.

We had an early day on Saturday.  We got our hair done at Structures.  It was so great to see an old friend.  She hasn't changed one bit.  We got ready at Chelle's parents' home in Farmbrook.  I don't think I've been in that neighborhood in YEARS.  It was quite touching to see our little Chelle all grown up and in her wedding dress :)  I definitely teared up during the ceremony, but held it together.  The priest totally looked like Philip Seymour Hoffman and I think he had been chugging the holy wine.

After photos, we headed over to the reception.  The food was pretty good.  I'm not drinking anymore so I had sparkling cider, which was absolutely delicious.  I may have to pick up a bottle of that!  It was great seeing all my PTC girls.  Everyone looked beautiful.  We danced, sort of.  SB requested Michael Jackson's PYT and then the DJ followed up with some random awful song so the dance floor cleared out pretty quick.

Post-reception, the girls went out to Brewer's Alley, where there were drinks to be had.  Mr. Ho bought 2 rounds of shots, which didn't go over well the next day, for dear friend, Pyp.  Haha!  We didn't stay too long because I was pretty damn exhausted and Rocky still needed to eat and be taken out.

I forgot to mention, Mr. Ho and I drove through my old neighborhood and I took a look at my house!  I haven't been there in forever.  The house looks so old.  I really just wanted to go run up the driveway and into the front door...  Lots of memories at that house.  That's my house in the picture up on the left...

Sunday, the CRAZIEST thing happened.  My brother literally asked me to hang out with him.  It was so strange and I felt like I was in the twilight zone.  We walked around Tysons and I helped him pick out clothes.  I love doing that.  It would be so fun to be a stylist.  Rachel Zoe meet your match, D.Ho!  Just kidding, she's way more fabulous than me.  My husband also marinated some AH-MAY-ZING galbi in the morning so we bbq'ed that shit up for dinner and had a great feast.  YUM.

I don't know why we have waited so long to do this, but Mr. Ho and I washed Rocky outside Monday night.  It was so perfect and a lot quicker and efficient than washing him in the utility sink.  It was actually a lot of fun and a cute bonding family moment.  Rocky smells so fresh and so clean right now.  I love a clean dog.

I ran a bunch of errands yesterday and even had lunch with a good friend, Daid.  She is such a talented designer.  If anyone needs any kind of design work, you should definitely get in touch with her.  She was the genius behind my print work at the wedding and SIL's wedding, too.

Now, I'm just waiting for my aunt to get here so we can get the day started...  Toodaloo.

And PS.  Apparently Jon Gosselin is not designing a kids line.  Thank the good Lord Almighty.

And PPS.  Hope you had a great birthday, OG DM!

Another Wedding Weekend

I have bridesmaid duties again this weekend for the lovely Chelle.  I've known her since middle school.  Where did the days go when I used to be taller than her??  I'm excited for the wedding.  I just realized she was the only "minority" bridesmaids - the rest were asian.  And now I get to be her "minority!"  LOL.

 

I guess I haven't really been blogging about what I've been doing with my life.  Uh.  Let's see.  I've been going to the pool.  Went to the gym FINALLY on Wednesday, but haven't been back since.  Been Skyping with SIL.  Trying to sell those bags for my aunt and getting rid of our yellow sofa.  I did have dinner with DHuang and her man last weekend.  That was a lot of fun.  She's going to be in town in August and actually going to stay with us!  I'm super erxcited about that one.  I read a book.  I can't think of anything else.  I am quite boring.

Mr. Ho and I just finished Entourage season 5, so we are ready for the 6th season on Sunday!  What a great show.  

Tis all for now.  I gotta finish packing before we leave for Frederick.  I hate packing.  Even if it's for one night.

Later, friends!

Where the Heart Is

Yesterday, I went back to my hometown to attend Chelle's bachelorette party.  I've gone back to Frederick to run a few errands, but have not gone downtown in a long time.  It was nice to be back - driving around route 40, down the dark-ass roads by Fitz's house.  I enjoyed walking around downtown and seeing how much the town has changed, and not changed.  Parts of downtown are so beautiful, but there are still ignorant jerks, but I guess you can find those anywhere.  It was fun running into people I haven't seen in years, but I think I will have to trim the fat on Facebook.  I figure if you can't say hi to me when you see me in person, then we shouldn't be Facebook friends.

Even though nostalgia hit me like a ton of bricks, at the same time, I felt like a stranger.  When I'm in the middle of my tight knit circle of girlfriends, I feel very much at home.  They are really the only reason I am still connected there.  But, I don't even know how to get around anymore - I thought Middletown was near Walkersville.  Most of all, I felt kind of out of place.  Even though it's home, it's not anymore.  I felt a sigh of relief when I got near Tysons Corner, a bit giddy when I rounded up Nutley Street, and elation when I got into my own bed.  

10 years ago, Frederick was all I knew.  I never thought I would let it go, but now I realize I have.  When did that happen?  I've come so far from where I was.  And I'm happy right here!

Beach House Weekend

5 members of the PTC went down to my father-in-law's condo in Virginia Beach.  It was a grand time of doing nothing.

On the drive down, we hit a crap load of traffic on 95, or as Sally the GPS says, "I-95."  It took over 5 hours to get down there and all I wanted was some damn Chick-Fil-A.  I kept mistaking Friendly's signs for the Chick.  BTW, Mr. Ho and I saw they are building the Chick RIGHT by my house.  That can just mean danger.

The weather-people predicted stormy weather for the weekend, but it turned out beautiful.  We were able to take a nice walk on the beach Friday night.  We made some spaghetti, facebooked old classmates, and then passed out after midnight.  I know, we really know how to party.

Saturday, we were out on the beach at 10:30 AM until a minor storm hit.  We chowed on junk food all day long (Cheese-Its, Goldfish, Sour Cream + Onion chips, Chex Mix, ice cream, Reese Pieces, and M&Ms) and watched Steel Magnolias - one of those classic movies I've never seen.  It was such a great movie!  Even though it was made in the 80's, the humor was still so current.  My favorite line of the movie?  If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me!  We ate dinner at some random Mexican restaurant and then watched Baby Mama.  Again, we were in bed by midnight.

My, how times have changed.   I used to party hard with these ladies.  Every time I would visit them, I would always binge drink and end up puking all night long.  Now, we share a bottle of wine and we are good.  

We each have such separate lives and keeping in touch grows harder each year.  It is amazing that our friendships have held strong and true.  I can't wait to go somewhere fabulous when we all turn the dirty 30!

PS.  We watched The Wrestler last week and I so loved it.  However, it left me oh-so depressed!  Mickey Rourke really was fantastic in his role.  I am partial to fake wrestling because I used to watch it all the time with my Dad.  Randy the Macho Man Savage, Hulk, Legion of Doom, Andre the Giant, Mean Gene, Junkyard Dog, Roddy Piper, anyone??