2014 where did you go?

This year started rather tumultuously, I thought.  Year of the horse seems so auspicious, but kicked me in the butt quite a few times.  It's not over yet, arguably the most important part is yet to come... Fingers crossed.

We moved into our new house!  Actually this happened in August 2013, closed on the 29th.  But it didn't really feel like home until this year, when what seemed a vast amount of empty space began to fill in with clutters of daily life.  I find myself scrambling for storage space in this 4000 sq ft house for two.

I turned 32!  S and I celebrated at The Optimist, one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta.  I told S I didn't want anything for my birthday, but on the day of we went to the mall and walked away with the most lovely Burberry toggle coat with fur trimmed hat.  I felt very very spoiled. And very very lucky.

Snow day 2014.  A different fur collar with a different coat. 

Backyard view of my neighbor's house.  Doesn't it look so idyllic in the snow?

Snow Apocalypse in Atlanta!  (Almost) trapped at work.  After a three hour car ride home, only to be picked up by monster truck to return to work the next day.  Staying at Econolodge and Hampton Inn with Hadrami.  Oh winter, please be more kind this year. 

San Francisco Reunion!!  Where I was introduced to Japanese Ramen, how fast babies grow, and still dreaming of the insanely yummy shaved ice (which is really not ice at all but some sweet creamy light fluffy cream).

S and I bought not one but two cars within a span of 3 months.  Will never forget how happy (and proud?) my dad was when I returned his camry.  There was the first toyota camry, then the green Mitsubishi sport, then black Avalon, finally this camry is the only one I was responsible enough to return (even fixed the scratch).  I think it means I can take care of myself now, or something like that.

My sweet mom turned 60.  Yet she is not one day over 40, or 35, to me...  Still not a single strand of grey hair.  Still takes care of me when I am sick.  Still the person I want to talk to the most when sad/happy/sleepy.  Love my mommy.

Cutie

L'Atalier de Joel Robuchon

View from Cosmopolitan

Weekend trip to Vegas, Steve's favorite place in the world. Ok maybe not... but pretty close.

 NOLA/Biloxi trip in May, right before our lives changed forever.  S asked me on the trip - "you're eating a lot. are you pregnant?" Me - "No!"

There it is, the elusive two lines.  The funny thing is, once it's positive, there is no doubt in the world it's positive (although I have heard of tests where the second line is only slightly dark).  I think at one point I had about five of them all lined up.  S wanted to be sure.  It's the most thrilling/magical moment of our married life.  S: "what do we do now?" Me: "I don't know. I think it just grows." :)

 20 weeks and growing.  Still the most thrilling/magical, but also the most scary/nerve-wrecking/out-of-my-control experience.

Baby Do and I getting inspired by Oprah.

October in Chicago

"the Wild Bean"

Brothers!

The best turkey sandwich at The Publican Chicago.  I have been ordering sandwiches everywhere in Atlanta since I got back, but they all fall short. It's in the bread (fried I think), the melted fontina, and whatever else (I think an onion vinegar of some sort) is happening.  And the kale salad with bits of feta cheese, very envious of that salad. 

October in Chicago is breathtakingly beautiful.  When the weather isn't cold enough to take your breath away, the beautiful waterfront will.

Two hour wait to get into Wasabi for the famous torched pork belly Ramen Noodle.  Amazing. 

Margie's Ice Cream.  I wasn't sure what the big deal was, whether it was worth the waiting and the line and putting up with the chaos that is this (well-known) establishment.  I mean, ice cream is ice cream right?  This is a banana split with chocolate, coconut, and mint chocolate ice cream with hot fudge sundae in its own boat.  I have been craving it since.  Go figure. 

Our trip to Chicago trip is splendid.  Despite sprained ankles and sciatic leg, we hobbled our way from one restaurant to the next.  Not pictured is the Chicago pizza, legendarily good; the smell of caramel and cheddar cheese popcorn; and S trying to find me water along the Chicago River bank despite his swollen ankle.  Yep, still my favorite travel partner.

Happy Halloween.  My favorite holiday came and went, along with my favorite month.  S and I have been married for two years on 10.29.2014, and we celebrated with a steak at Ruth Chris.  No special gifts, we're old married couples now.

I will be working this Thanksgiving, but still, the spirit of the holidays is not wasted on me.  I love any holiday that involves cooking and eating.

Looking forward to our little Christmas tree, filling it with gifts, and for once spending Xmas day with family and seeing these gifts being opened.  Looking forward to baby Do growing bigger and bigger, and me heavier and heavier.  I'm getting fat and there is nothing I can or want to do about it.  Sometimes in life, all is well and I am thankful.