Oh Baby

So, I previously said the Sunday Linky Party would return today, but boy was I wrong. It's been a month since I gave birth to my adorable baby girl, Ari (her nickname), and while I thought I'd have more time during maternity leave to work on my blog, I clearly underestimated how much work taking care of a newborn would be. Aside from feeding her every 3 hours around the clock, I've spent the rest of the time eating, trying to sleep when she sleeps, and trying to sooth her crying. Luckily I'm extremely fortunate to have my mom help me with cooking and doing laundry when she isn't working. Also, I think my arms have become slightly more toned.

Other than occasionally complaining about how tired I am, I'm amazed at how much love I've felt for Ari. As a child, I wasn't interested in dolls. As a teenager through young adulthood, I didn't spend time imagining what my wedding or future family would be like because I frankly wasn't too fond of children and wasn't sure if I wanted to marry anyone (unless I met someone incredible who I would actually want to spend the rest of my life with. Gotta keep an open mind, I told myself. Surprisingly, it happened, and much earlier than anyone, especially my friends, anticipated. When I told my mom I was getting married, she gave me a very confused look and said, "Are you sure?"). I assure you that my parents aren't divorced and that they have a stable relationship. I just wanted to financially establish myself first, because it's based on my perseverance and determination, whereas a relationship can be unreliable since it requires the dedication of two people working together.  Now that I have a child, I can totally understand how other parents would think their children are the most precious people in the world. I have never felt such a strong surge of love than when I hold Ari. I thought I couldn't love anyone more than my husband, but apparently there is a stronger love.

Anyway, I'm not sure when the Sunday Linky Party will return, but I have plans to do more with this blog (and am planning to move it to its own domain name), so we'll see when things get rolling!

Sunday Linky Party #98 + Announcement

Hi all! Hope you're all having a good weekend :) I have an announcement to make, which is that I'm nearing my due date (very near) so I am taking the next month or so off to relax, not work, catch up on house-moving/decorating (finally), and, of course, take care of the baby. So actually, the next month or so would not include much relaxing... oh well. I'm also planning to do something about this blog, which has been poorly and guiltily neglected for a long while (mostly after I transferred from grad-student status to full-time-employee status) :/ What am I planning to do? Well, I'd like to finally move my little blogspot blog to its own domain and actually write more personal posts again, such as sharing my recipes/crafts/stuff. The Sunday Linky Party will go on though, and as of now, the next Sunday Linky Party will be on March 31, 2013. So please check back then for the party and for more information, if you'll still remember! :)

Here's another flower tutorial of beautiful paper dahlias from Twigg Studios (how many paper flower tutorials can she possibly make? Yet they're always so impressive!). Check out her satin flower tutorial and butterfly cookies, too.

Sunday Linky Party #97 + Goodies

Hi all, this is an exciting weekend because... it's Chinese New Year (aka Lunar New Year) today AND it'll be Valentine's Day on Thursday! Do you know what that means? If you've already fallen off the wagon for your New Year's resolutions (remember those from January 1st?), here's your chance to start again. Unfortunately, if your resolution was to quit chocolate, good luck with that when Valentine's Day rolls around. Anyway, time to check out this week's features :)

I love this fingerprint people idea from Art Club Blog! These are so cute and would make great art pieces or wrapping paper for kids and adults to make!

Sunday Linky Party #96 + Goodies

Hi all, hope you're all having another great Sunday! After the end of this coming week, I will be going on maternity leave and busy building furniture that I ordered online which have been delivered to my house in pieces (of course). Annnnnd on another note, it's Super Bowl Weekend! Who's having a grunting man-party and not doing anything crafty (aside from making delicious appetizer dishes)? I'm just looking forward to shopping at near-empty stores because hopefully, most people will be indoors watching the game :) I found some awesome stuff at Marshall's lately so I want to go back and see what else is good. Anyway, check out this week's features!

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, make this cute couple map silhouette art piece from The Crafty Scientist! Is there a reason why the girl looks like she has more connections to her heart?? Is it because we're supposed to be more complicated??? :)

Sunday Linky Party #95 + Goodies

Happy Sunday again! :) The Super Bowl is coming up, so does that mean you're all busy preparing appetizers and other yummy dishes for the family and friends to munch on (for the Americans, that is :) It's kind of a big deal in the U.S., as it's probably the only country where American football is the most important sport, ever (and what every other country calls "football" is called soccer here). Anyway, I'm not a big sports nut but it's impossible to escape the hype because San Francisco's own 49'ers will be playing in it! (I live in the San Francisco Bay Area). Anyway, enough about that and more about this week's crafts and recipes, which are all really good, btw.

How cute is this crochet pillow? I love the triangles and color combination! Check out the tutorial at Meeha Meeha (although you'll need to have a little crochet knowledge first for the triangles, but I'm sure that's not too hard to find on google).