Birthday Cake from Momofuku Milk Bar

Four more days. Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed our little yellow jaundice baby into the world. Now homoeboy is growing a molar!

 I have been debating whether to make his cake or order it for a while. Panic set in on Saturday and I realized that I would not have time to make his cake so I ordered one (actually I ordered two) from Momofuku Milk Bar in New York. We visited Milk Bar on our last trip together pre-parenthood and I will never forget walking down the street eating crack pie, our bellies still full from lunch at David Chang's Momofuku Noodle Bar. I'm sure the birthday cake will be 1000% times better than anything I could ever make and I hope little man and all our guests enjoy it! The colorful sprinkles fit right in with our super colorful party. One day when he is older I can say, "We had your first birthday cake flown in from NYC!"

 

[Birthday Cake from Momofuku Milk Bar]

Chuc Mung Nam Moi! Welcoming the Year of the Horse

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone good health, happiness, luck and prosperity in the new year. I'm so excited for tet this year. We have Parker's outfit all picked out. The house is clean. I stuffed new money into my red envelopes yesterday. I can't wait to nosh on some delicious traditional Vietnamese food and treats with family and friends this weekend. Stay tuned for photos from all the festivities!

 

 

 

[Spotted on Pinterest]

February is San Diego Museum Month

Museum Month is back for the 25th year in San Diego County. Presented by Macy's this popular event allows participants to enjoy half-off entry fees at 44 San Diego Museum Council membership museums.

 

Museum Month Passes may be picked up beginning February 1, 2014 at any of Macy's fourteen locations in the San Diego Area, Temecula and Imperial Valley. The passes are free to obtain while supplies last. With a pass, up to four visitors can gain admission to any of the 44 participating museums for half-price. Plus, you can use the pass all month long!
Museum Month, created by the San Diego Museum Council in 1989, draws tens of thousands of visitors to the region's museums, historical sites, educational institutions and cultural centers. The savings encourages locals and visitors to explore the rich variety of arts, culture and science-oriented destinations. From the Oceanside Museum of Art down to the Tijuana Estuary, there are ample opportunities for edutainment, creating memories and fun for the whole family.

 

This is a great opportunity to visit some of our favorite places for half off! Here is my short list of baby friendly musuems to visit.

 

-Birch Aquarium at Scripps

-Cabrillo National Monument (I didn't think it could get any cheaper!)

-San Diego Children's Discovery Museum

-San Diego Model Railroad Museum

-San Diego Natural History Museum

-The Water Conservation Garden

 

 

 



Running Around Liberty Station

Remember how I said a few posts ago that I wanted to go back to Liberty Station just to run around? After Parker's haircut on Sunday, we had the chance to do just that. We had breakfast at Con Pane, wandered over to the Yellow Brick Road bookstore and then ran around behind Stone Brewery where there is a big, grassy courtyard. There was hardly a soul around even though it was 11 AM. These flat grassy areas are perfect for inexperienced walkers like Parker. There is very little he can trip on!

 



 

[Found a leaf]

 

[Dropped his leaf]

 

[Carrying Parker around in our new Tula baby carrier. So happy we bought his super comfy carrier.]

 

[Shirt: Zara, Pants: H&M, Shoes: Toms]

 

[Little man had a giggly good time running after me. Sometimes I still can't believe how mobile he is now.]

 



 

[Right as we were about to leave, a man showed up with his two dogs. Parker walked right up to the little one to say hello. No fear.]

Parker's First Haircut & A Review of Pigtails and Crewcuts - Point Loma

After much deliberation, we finally took Parker for his first haircut yesterday. With Tet and his 1st birthday coming up, Tuan and I want his hair situation under control. At the recommendation of my friend Christina, we took him to Pigtails & Crewcuts at Liberty Station. We arrived right when they opened to avoid having to wait (they don't take appointments and I have been told that the wait can get long later in the day). I love how the salon is decorated with its bright walls and great natural light. Each station is outfitted with a little car or airplane that the kids can sit in. I love that it was very clean and they use baby safe hair products. Our stylist Laura was really nice and patient with Parker. He was so distracted by the steering wheel on the airplane that he did not fuss at all during his haircut. And yes, we were those obnoxious people who showed up with a big camera and snapped away the whole time. I'm sure it happens all the time because Laura didn't seem to care at all. We paid for the First Haircut Package which comes with a photo and lock of hair in a keepsake card. Total cost was $25.00 but we received $4 off with a coupon from The Bump magazine. We will definitely be back when it's time for another haircut. Thanks to Laura & the staff for making Parker's first haircut a fun and untraumatizing experience!

 

Pigtails & Crew Cuts - Liberty Station

http://www.pigtailsandcrewcuts.com/san-diego/

2816 Historic Decatur Road, Ste 100

San Diego, CA 92106

619-501-2375

 

[Checking out his ride]

[The first snip]

 

 

[Laura having a chat with Parker]

[Adding the finishing touches and some styling balm]

Celebrating Chinese New Year in SoCal

It's hard to imagine that this time last year I was hugely pregnant doing everything I could to get Parker out of me. As soon as we realized he wasn't planning to come naturally, we scheduled my c-section for February 8, two days before Tet (Lunar New Year) so that Parker would be a golden dragon.

Technically, this year will be Parker's second time experiencing Tet but the first time he will kinda know what is going on. My little sister Cathy bought him a little red brocade suit similar to this one that he will be wearing when he collects his red envelopes. I'm looking forward to feasting on my MIL's thit kho, gambling and all the traditional desserts and sweets that are only available during this time of year. Between Tet, the Super Bowl (GO DENVER!) and Parker's birthday extravaganza I'm going to be one busy mama.

 

[Year of the Horse and Broncos in the Super Bowl? This is no coincidence people! Go Manning!]

This year Tet lands on a Friday so the celebrations are going to be bigger than usual. Here is a list of Tet/Lunar New Year celebrations that will be happening in SoCal. Hope to see some of you out and about celebrating the Year of the Horse!

Lunar New Year Festival (This is the one I would go to)
Where: Qualcomm Stadium
9449 Friars Road
San Diego, CA 92108
When: Jan 31- Feb 2. Times vary by day.
How much: $4/kid and $5/adult
Website: http://www.lunarnewyearfestival.org/

Tet Festival (This is the one I would go to if I lived in OC)
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
When: Feb 7-9
How much: Children 4 and under FREE/General Admission $5
Website: http://www.tetfestival.org/

9th Annual Mira Mesa Tet Festival
Where: Mira Mesa Community Park
8575 New Salem Street
San Diego, CA 92126
When: Jan 31 - Feb 2. Times vary by day.
How much: FREE
Website: http://www.sdtet.com/about.php

Chinese New Year Food & Cultural Fair
Where: Downtown San Diego
Third Ave & J Street
When: Feb 8 & 9 from 9 AM - 5 PM
How much: FREE
Website: http://sdcny.weebly.com/

Chinese New Year at Pretend City - Irvine
Where: Pretend City Irvine
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
When: Jan 31 from 10 AM - 3 PM
How much: $12.50/person
Website: http://pretendcity.org/ai1ec_event/celebrate-chinese-new-year/?instance_id=429

Mini Me Look Inspired by a Waistcoat

Some people, like the two men below, have swag that comes so naturally. Here's an easy outfit for baby that copies their dressy/casual look. Is the vest too much like Mr. Schu?

 

[Spotted on Pinterest via Street Etiquette]

Mini Me Look Inspired by a Waistcoat by marychu on Polyvore

Nordstrom 'Charlie' Herringbone Vest (Toddler Boys) 2T / Zara Leather Moccasin / Fashion Straight Rebel Wash / Zara Basic Shirt / C2 by Calibrate Woven Tie (Big Boys) Green One Size