2 weeks ago we had a joint birthday party with our little friend Edwin.  Cadence is two days older than Edwin.  They are just so cute together and really enjoy being with each other.  Last weekend we went back to Boston to have another birthday bash for our big girl.  I can’t believe she’s already two.  She’s really no longer a baby.  She talks so much, is learning to use the potty, and becoming more and more independent.  Makes me sad to think that she’ll no longer need me to help her do things for her soon.  Anyway, happy birthday Cadence!

Since Sucheng isn’t here this summer, cooking dinner has been a bit more challenging.  Cadence usually tends to be more needy when she gets home from daycare and wants me to hold her or play with her.  I, on the other hand, am trying to scramble to get dinner ready.  Since she seems to like watching me cook and loves playing with pots and pans, I decided to make a little stove/kitchen area for her.  I could have just bought her something, but we had an old table lying around, so I just made the most of it.  She loves her new play area now and it’s keeping her nice and busy when I’m trying to make dinner.  Check out our new chef.

Cadence wearing the new apron that I made for her (I’m finally making good use of my sewing machine).

Here’s her new snazzy kitchen area.

Hanging up the pots after dinner.

Two weekends ago Cadence’s Yee Yee’s (aunties) came to visit us in New Haven from Boston.  We were looking forward to their visit all summer.  We had such a wonderful time with them.  Cadence and I took them to Hammonasett beach, walked around Yale University and just ate a ton of good food.  We had pizza at Modern Apizza, an extremely popular pizza joint in New Haven, ate a sushi buffet (boy was it delicious) AND an Indian buffet.  I think we all gained like 5 lbs. that weekend.  It’s rare that we get to spend so much time with the girls, so we just enjoyed it so much.  We hope you guys visit again soon!

We’ve been extremely lucky that Cadence is a great eater.  I never force her to eat anything since I know where that would lead to.  I just offer her a variety of different things and that seems to be working.  She’ll usually try everything once as well even if she doesn’t like it.  Recently I’ve noticed that when we go out eat, I can’t just share my dish with her.  She eats a large portion of my meal and I’m left hungry.  Someone just LOVES to eat.

Week number 5 and 5 more to go.  We are now officially counting down to Sucheng’s return.  The first few weeks went by really fast and we’ve been keeping ourselves busy.  However, I’m finding that I’ma bit restless now.  Being a single parent is not easy.  On the flip side, Sucheng has been working extremely hard and pulling long hours.  Last week, he worked until 11 or 12 every night.  Before we know it, he’ll be back in New Haven.  We’re hanging in there.

I guess everyone already knows how old I am now.  I can’t believe these are the final 11 months of me in my 20’s.  I really enjoyed my 20’s now that I think about it.  I turned 21…legally able to drink…23…met Sucheng…26…got married…27…had Cadence.  Lots happened in my 20’s and I wouldn’t change a thing.  I’ll just have to enjoy my last 360 days or so in my 20’s.

Lunch with our friends at Blue Fin.  The cake was so yummy.

Grandma took us out to eat at Shabu Shabu.

Cadence laughing with Coco Yee Yee

Cute Picture!

The two of us with Auntie Judy

Hanging out with Sam and Alex Yee Yee

Told you the cake was yummy…

Last week my co-workers and I went to Chicago for a conference for a few days.  I really like Chicago a lot…  great food, excellent shopping, and proximity to beaches.  Although we were indoors for the most part, we were able to squeeze in a few shopping trips.  We also took a nice stroll down Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park. 

Here’s the crew enroute to Millennium Park

Me and Linda at Millennium Park.  I love the nice open space.

Don’t ask…we don’t know why Linda is crouching

Don’t ask again…it’s Shelley in the “wilderness”

Connecticut seems to have a lot going on in the summer.  So far we’ve been to the Little Folks Fair in Chesire and the annual Branford Festival.  The Little Folks Fair was a lot of fun.  It was a whole afternoon with activities for the kids.  We went with our little friend Edwin and his parents.  We walked by the farm area, visited the fire truck, played in the obstacle course area and listened to some good music.  Cadence had so much fun listening and bopping to a man playing the guitar.

Cadence with Edwin at the petting farm area

Cadence admiring the cow

Sucheng and Cadence hanging out with the chickens

Petting the llamas

This past weekend we went to the Branford Festival with my co-worker Nehal (who loves Cadence by the way). Nehal lives in Branford and was gracious enough to take us around.  We had a great time eating fried, greasy foods, listening to bad music, going on one carousel ride and baking in the sun.

Cadence with Nehal Yee Yee

Say Cheese Girls

We were so optimistic that Cadence would enjoy the carousel, but once it started to move, she bolted into Sucheng’s arms.  Maybe next year she’ll stay on…

Last weekend Sucheng headed for New York City to start his internship at Lehman Brothers.  I’m happy for him…I really am!!  I think he was getting restless at home last week.  Last Sunday the two of us drove his things down to NYC.  I got to check out his posh apartment right in Time Square.  It is quite nice with concierge service.  He’s really living it up

  Getting ready to leave for NYC

Cadence and I are adjusting well without him this week.  She says “Ba Bi” here and there.  I guess she’s wondering where he went.  We’ve been keeping ourselves busy..going to the park, hanging out with friends and Uncle Mike and Auntie Olivia. 

Sucheng seems to be doing well too.  What a tough week he’s had so far…eating out and hanging out at bars all week.  This week has been mostly training, so he hasn’t been very busy.  I guess he should take advantate of it now since he’ll be quite busy the days to come.  We can’t wait to see him tomorrow!!

I can’t believe it’s been a year since we moved to New Haven.  This time last year we were getting ready for our move from Boston and also getting ready for our big trip.  Cadence was not even crawling yet at the time.  One year brought on so many changes - Cadence is now walking, running, eating on her own and plays with her little friends.  Sucheng is now done with year one of his MBA program and will be joining Lehman Brothers for his summer intership as an investment banker.  I am content with life here and will be enjoying the summer in New Haven with my new friends and hopefully spending time between here and Boston.  I’m sure the summer will just fly right by.  Now that year one is done, it makes me sad to think that we will be leaving New Haven next year at the same time!  So many changes…

Cadence’s new friends - Edwin, Emma and Kate

So cute!!