12 posts tagged “dan chan”
James got a new cousin! Last Friday, his cousin Matthew was born. Dan and I shook a fist at the name however - James already has an older cousin Matthew! It's cool though - only Dan and I will be confused on whom is being talked about...besides, Big Matthew is in the Midwest...Little Matthew (I'm going to call him Matty) is here in the bay.
Here's a photo of the new daddy Tim, momma Emma, baby Matty, James, me, and Dan. James looks so HUGE compared to Matty - and imagine, there's only a 7 month difference! Yikes!
"I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you how to be rich. But I can tell you how to feel rich, which is far better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich. Be grateful...It's the only totally reliable get-rich-quick scheme."
-BEN STEIN, actor comedian, economist
Having finally finished Schulz, I started a new book the other day called thanks! How the new science of gratitude can make you happier. It started making me think how many blessings God has showered Dan, James, and me with, and how much I tend to take things for granted.
It's funny how it's so easy to find things to complain about. The house is a mess. Haggling customers are always disrupting dinner. The computer is monopolized all day. Health insurance is too expensive. There's too little work. There's too much work. Why are people perpetually dissatisfied with what they have when there are so many things to be thankful for? I began to think about things while I was taking my shower today, and began to realize how blessed my family and I really are.
Dan and I have been so greatly blessed with work lately. While I don't always enjoy work because of the driving, the stress from performing, and most importantly - the sheer amount of time that Dan is on the phone and internet having to deal with haggling customers (people seem to always call when we're out for a meal!), it seems like the poor economy hasn't effected us and we are constantly getting more and more gigs. We live comfortably and can afford to get what we need, to eat what we want, and have the freedom to have a schedule few people have.
We're also blessed as a family; James has been bringing Dan and me so much joy each day. It's not hard to see how much we love him (I think that for every post I make, there is usually 3 for James!), and although we lose a lot of sleep, have a lot of stinky diapers to go through, and have little time to ourselves, I just can't imagine life without him. As a couple, Dan and I are prone to arguments, can get bored with each other, and like to pick on each other at times. While he can "be a butthead", he's also sincere, devoted, helpful, and hardworking. I really enjoy when we reconnect each day in a romantic way - whether that means a pot of yellow tulips as a gift, or a quick peck on the lips and hug.
Many of us take our extended (for lack of better word) families for granted. I thought about when my sister and I used to live under the same roof - we bickered a lot, didn't talk much because we saw each other all the time, and pretty much acted like it was no big deal to hang out - in fact, I would rather hide in my room than go shopping with her. Now that we're living under different roofs, I look forward to seeing her and actually enjoy running silly errands with her. I also realized how hard working and funny my parents can be.
I'm probably going to have to finish the book before I can really see the full scope of what I'm missing - but for now, I'm just grateful for the little things I noticed in my 10 minute break from it all.
It never ceases to amaze me how fast James is growing. At times he seems sooooo tiny and that he's not growing fast enough - I want him to start sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, dancing, eating and doing all those "big boy" things
Last Sunday, Dan, James, and I all went on our first "vacationesque" family outing (outside of meals) ever - and it was to the Takara Sake Factory in Berkeley!
We haven't hung out with just friends in a group since James was born, so we figured it was about time! The Takara Sake Factory was very similar to the Scharffen Berger Factory in Emeryville - the factory was more sampling and less actual tour. But, considering it's a sake factory, and we got as many drinks as we wanted...no one complained! (No worries - we didn't drink much...except for James at his milk tank!) James even enjoyed the museum...there were huge bird sculpture mobiles hanging and turning on the ceiling and he LOVED watching them! It was a tour that the whole family enjoyed!
You can check out the Takara Sake website to see how sake is made and how to drop by for a tour if you're in the area...it was a lot of fun!
I know Dan posted this on his blog - but I can't resist because I'm so proud of him:
Dan is Magician of the Year for Ring 216:
Our first family Christmas photo! I think James is annoyed he got clothes only for Christmas, unlike his cousins who got lots of exciting toys! ;) Either that, or he's fed up with all the "paparazzi" taking photos of him!
The day has finally arrived: I am standing up straight, looking down, and I can see my feet again. I can sit down cross legged with my legs actually crossed. I can bend over and pick up a pencil...sorta. And who do I have to thank? My beautiful baby boy, of course!
On December 5, 2007 at 1:58 AM, Baby James made his grand debut! Weighing in at 7 lbs 9 oz, and standing (lying down?) at 18 1/2 inches (later disputed by the pediatrician as 20 1/4 inches - those rushing nurses...sheesh!) James is doing great!
But that euphoria wouldn't last too long...by 3 PM, I still hadn't progressed further than 3 cm, despite the pitocin administered. The doctors kept upping the amount, hoping that something would happen. By 7 PM, I was around 4 cms dialated and crying - contractions hurt! Actually, it was more like "please just kill me now and put me out of my misery!" Throughout this whole ordeal, Dan was really supportive and kept trying to encourage me to keep going, knowing I wanted a "pain killer free" birth. But in the end, I finally decided to give in and get a epidural.
To my joy, I was assigned the "best on staff" for epidurals - the doctor was well known among all the staff as having administered thousands of epidurals without problem. Well, he met his match - after poking my back first the numbing medications, pain medications, and trying to insert the catheter into my back about 7 times (we're talking about 2-3 shots a try), he had to give up. The scoliosis that put the curve in my back and that made me about 3 inches shorter than I could've been had foiled him. I was given a pain killer for the contractions and got to wait some more.
By 10 PM, I was a good 6 cm dialated, but the baby still hadn't really descended into my pelvis. I was having about 7 contractions in a row along with 30 second to 1 minute breaks. The drugs had worn off and I was in tears again...I told Dr. Lee to try just one more time - and if I couldn't get the epidural, to just knock me out or something. He gave it a go, and after one try (and with me praying out loud that it would work) the catheter stayed. I was officially drugged to the peak with the pitocin on full blast. By 11, I was still at 6 cms. By midnight, the doctors decided I would have to get a c-section.
Because I wasn't anticipating getting a c-section, I had a lot of paperwork to sign, more IVs to be administered, and a lot of prayer to do - I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be able to have a "normal" birth, but Dan reminded me: "healthy baby, healthy mommy". The next opening for the surgery room wasn't until around 1:30 AM, so Dan spent some time reading the Book of James to me again, and he chatted with me, trying to keep my mind off of the surgery.
Getting a c-section wasn't really bad - it's true, you only feel pulling and tugging. I was really relieved as I thought it would be painful like contractions...how great drugs are nowadays! By 1:58 AM, out popped James! It was like sawing the lady in half and tah-dah! Baby out of the lady! I didn't get to see James for a few minutes as they had to clean him up and do all those Apgar Test things on him - but after seeing Dan's expression of such joy and wonderment, I knew our baby was a healthy and handsome little guy. Dan even got to do the whole umbilical cord cutting - how exciting!!
So after 24 hours of labor - our little miracle was finally here. We got to go home on Saturday, and have been trying to get into a schedule since. While he doesn't like sleeping at night (preferring to sleep all day and partying at night), adjusting hasn't been too bad - both Dan and my parents have been sending over plenty of food, my sister has been helping with chores and running errands, and my mom in law stayed over the past 2 nights to help with the "night shift". Healing up after a c-section has been fairly easy as well...I've been warned how painful it is, but I've been doing just fine with a motrin twice a day and plenty of walking around. In fact, I'm actually happier (to some degree) that I got the c-section. I can sit down perfectly fine, the incision doesn't hurt much, and despite a few aches and pains getting up and down out of a bed, I've been feeling at the top of my game again - of course, it could be the excitement about the whole seeing the feet thing...who knows! ;)
James is such a wonderful blessing - the whole experience is something I'll never forget. I can't thank my family and Dan's family enough for all the help they've provided (and are still providing me) over the past few days. And I'm still so thankful and blessed to have Dan as my husband - he's so supportive, helpful with the baby, loving, and understanding. He's a great husband, and a great father as well!
Ahhhhh, I think I'm going to like this mommy thing...
What's the most memorable crush you have had?
Submitted by spectacular.
And I got to marry him, too! :-)
Guess who turned the big 3-0 on October 22...? Not me, that's for sure! But my darling husband reached that milestone! He got to celebrate his birthday in the traditional Asian style...with lots and lots of good food! In fact, he's already had 3 birthday dinners - with more along the way, I bet! I wonder if this "week long birthday celebration" is a common thing among many people...it seems to be like that with a lot of my friends!
Because I couldn't surprise Dan for his birthday no matter how hard I tried (you try surprising a guy you live and work with - and who has a schedule that changes daily!), we decided to celebrate his birthday a day early so he could go to work while I stayed at home to work on his birthday surprise - a nice, quiet dinner for two at home! While I promised him I would NOT write about all the food I made him, he did agree to let me write about the dessert I made for him...a super yummy tiramisu cake! Of all the cakes I've created over the years, I'm so pleased to say the best one I've ever made for anyone was:
- For my Honey-Dan
- So yummy that family members who tried it the next day thought it was bakery made
- Had enough coffee and kahlua in it that even though Dan was exhausted from work that day that he was able to stay awake for the other surprises I had planned for him (surprises that even he didn't know about - ha ha!)
You guys have to try to make this easy-peasy cake...it's so well worth it! :) mmmmm-MMM! FYI - if you can't find mascarpone cheese, you can use this substitute - it apparently works well: mascarpone substitute- 2pkgs cream cheese blended with 1/2 c heavy cream and 5 T sour cream. Otherwise, just hit up a Trader Joes or Whole Foods Market...chances are they have it there!
INGREDIENTS
- CAKE:
- 1 (18.25 ounce) package moist white cake mix
- 2 teaspoon instant coffee powder
- 1/2 cup coffee
- 3 tablespoons Kahlua
- FILLING:
- 1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 4 tablespoons Kahlua
- FROSTING:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 4 tablespoons Kahlua
- GARNISH:
- 1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate
- 1 Box Trader Joes Lady Fingers
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 (9 inch) pans.
- Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Divide two thirds of batter into 1 pan. Stir instant coffee into remaining batter; pour into remaining pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. In a measuring cup, combine brewed coffee and 3 tablespoons Kahlua; set aside.
- To make the filling: In a small bowl, using an electric mixer set on low speed, combine mascarpone, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 4 tablespoons Kahlua; beat just until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- To make the frosting: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar and 4 tablespoons Kahlua until stiff. Fold 1/2 cup of cream mixture into filling mixture.
- To assemble the cake: Slice the white cake (non-coffee cake) into two halves (so you have 2 circle cakes). Place one plain cake layer on a serving plate. Using a thin skewer, poke holes in cake, about 1 inch apart. Pour one third of reserved coffee mixture over cake, then spread with half of the filling mixture. Top with coffee-flavored cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour another third of the coffee mixture over the second layer and spread with the remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer; poke holes in cake. Pour remaining coffee mixture on top. Spread sides and top of cake with frosting. Garnish with chocolate curls and press lady fingers into the side of the cake. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
- To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.
That's right! Dan is in the FINAL 6! Winners will receive a day long experience with Cirque du Soleil during one (1) Bay Area performance of KOOZA. Prize also includes two (2) Tapis Rouge tickets to see one (1) Bay Area performance of KOOZA.
Please vote for Dan C. From San Francisco and help make Dan's dream of seeing what life at Cirque Du Soleil come true! (Please note there is also another Daniel C. from Martinez - don't vote for him!)
The voting period will last until October 1st.
Please send this along to your friends, family, coworkers, etc....help my husband the circus monkey find his way home! :-) Just click on the link below to vote!
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/index?section=contest_sweepstakes&id=5509750
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