It seems like there’s a whole lot happening these days!

— 1 —

I’m directing a conference for college students starting this Friday and was all set to pack up my baby girl and husband to come along on the 3-hour journey to camp. Just this Wednesday, it dawned on me that it would be a whole lot easier if they stayed at home. Duh. Gianna’s sleep is pretty bad when we’re not at home, and there’s a whole lot of extra packing that comes with my pint sized daughter. Plus, we’ve been crazy busy and Pat could use some rest with his little girl at home.

I think they’ll be totally fine, but I’m not sure that I’ll be fine. It will be the first time that I’m away from Gianna, for two whole nights! I’m just imagining Gianna crying out for me non-stop or maybe worse yet, totally forgetting about me and not wanting to even look at me when I get back on Sunday. Please send happy thoughts my direction this weekend. I hope I survive!

— 2 —

There are blossoms everywhere in our yard and neighborhood these days, and can I just say, gorgeous! I love, love, love this time of year. In our yard, the plum tree from next door that sprawls over our fence is full of tiny white flowers and our Asian pear tree is on the verge of bursting out it’s own blossoms. In the front yard, our blueberries are popping out their tiny, bell-like flowers that are already turning into berries! The left photo above is of one of my favorite plants in our front yard, a California native called ribes californicum, that will produce currants. I’m loving the pink flowers.

— 3 —

I discovered a new blog that I can’t get enough of. Simple Notebook is all about simplifying the home. Now, all I want to do is make lists and organize my family’s life.

— 4 —

I admit, I became a little bit of a stress ball earlier this week with all the conference details I’ve been consumed by. At some point, I just decided I needed to stop and get my mind off of it. And what did I do? I made kimchi. Of course right? The logical thing to do. I’ll be sharing more details soon.

— 5 —

I also was very tempted to make the best chocolate chip cookie in the whole universe. There’s a funny story behind it, who knows whether it’s true. I didn’t end up making it, but it’s on my list to make pronto.

— 6 —

I can’t believe it. I begin the third trimester in exactly 3 days. Where the heck did time go?! All I know is that once it comes, major nesting mode is bound to kick in. I already have tabs on my internet browser opened up with all the baby things I’ve been thinking about in the back of my mind for months. It suddenly feels like I need to get ready, right now.

— 7 —

My other baby is in one of the most fun stages that we’ve experienced so far. I keep saying that, which I think it a good thing. It just gets more and more fun. Gianna is exploring the verbal world like crazy these days and she seriously learns a new word (or two, or three), every day. Her new ones of late? Gogi (Korean for meat), bu-yao (Chinese for “I don’t want”), seeds (for sunflower seeds), mommy (a sudden switch from mama), ball, and o-mee (oatmeal). She also just about repeats everything you say to her! So fun.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!