ASOS Maternity

I had to share this. I have been trying insanely hard not to buy ANY maternity wear this time around, and if I do it's pieces that I can wear happily/easily/stylishly after. I was psyched to find these insanely cute midi t-shirt dresses from ASOS:

ASOS Midi T-Shirt Dress in Khaki

ASOS Midi T-Shirt Dress in Black

Latest Cravings

Sweetgreen's Kale Caesar with Arugula

I've only gained about 20 lbs so far in this pregnancy, which is notable given that I gained nearly double when I was carrying Kasen. My cravings have been few and far between, so that means I'm generally eating healthier. But it doesn't mean I'm exempt from them! The latest:

• Coconuts
• Coconut milkshakes
• Coconut anything
• Cereal with milk....after dinner
• Salads (yes, still.) Especially ones from Sweetgreen. Kale Caesar with arugula - I love arugula's spiciness and kick - for the win.
• Fage full fat yogurt with honey or strawberry.
• Fresh fruit - strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, blood oranges
• Freshly baked bread - specifically Italian bread. You know, the cheap ones from Stop & Shop for $1.99 per loaf! I settled for a small sourdough bowl from Panera. That was satisfying.
• Italian cold cut sandwiches (yes yes I know, I nuked it then toasted it to make sure any listeria was dead)
• Sushi (sadly it narrowly consists of the California Roll and the Unagi Maki Roll with either avocado or cucumber)
• Taiwanese dim sum (Chung Shin Yuan. It is REALLY good. Trust me!).
• Ramen (I'm finally going to get my fix this weekend! Going to Santouka in Harvard Square!)
• Ice cream (I'm not immune. I dragged my family to JP Licks just so I could have a cone. I don't think my 3.5 year old minded).
• Tall Starbucks decaf Flat Whites with whole milk and a heck of a lot of the raw turbinado sugar. Love how caramelly it is!
• Burgers. Especially Shake Shack.

I haven't been a fan of rice really. In fact if my husband packs it for lunch I will eat the protein and veggie but chuck the rice. Just can't seem to get myself to eat it. If I am still hungry after I'll nosh on some yogurt or fruit. I find it funny how this pregnancy I have cravings equally for "healthy" food as I do for "bad" food.

The Shack Burger

Georgetown Cupcakes

Perfect size and perfect frosting to cake ratio = the iconic Georgetown Cupcake. These were delivered to my office this morning!

[34 weeks]

Baby girl Zhao according to my most recent appointment is estimated to weigh in at 5 lbs and 3 oz at 34 weeks - or in the 38 percentile. Not too big, not too small - average. I have a Non-Stress Test scheduled for 37 weeks and likely my last ultrasound at 38 weeks. The countdown begins!

Woah. Check out that baby bump!

Baby girl Zhao sure loves her feet

That darned foot!

Toddler Breakfast: Miso Soup + Rice

As I struggled with coming up with creative ideas for Kasen's breakfast (particularly on pre-school mornings), I had extra miso soups from my company's catered lunch for a co-workers birthday. Four in fact. And quickly figured out that this was one of his favorite breakfasts - miso soup and rice, that is that he not only didn't fight, but happily ate. All of it! He enjoys hunting for the little tofus and seaweeds. Figures that this is a popular and traditional Japanese breakfast. But why can't he be like other kids and just enjoy a nice bowl of cereal with milk? I should know better. Kasen isn't like "other kids." Argh.

Catching Some Air

I have always been convinced that Kasen would just grow up to be a bookish nerd (you would think so if you played "Museum of Science" or "Museum of Natural History" for the upteenth time - we pretend to be paleontologists, then dig up dinosaurs to be dragged to the museums).

But a couple of weekends ago as the weather began to turn nice Kasen was practically begging to go outside to "play kickball". And lo and behold, I found that he was not only good at soccer, but he also is adept at hitting a smaller ball with a bat-like object. Perhaps there is some sliver of athleticism in there. Remarkable because Ken and I are not athletic, AT ALL.

The Harvard Museum of Natural History

What a gem. I didn't expect the Harvard Museum of Natural History to be so well, awesome. We went on Sunday morning as it was free for Massachusetts residents from 9am to 12pm every Sunday, suggested to us by my cousin Kathy. Kasen LOVED it. He was excited, bounded happily from room to room, and pretty much checked out every single exhibit until he was ready to go to the gift shop (where he picked up a Myragaia - a stegosaurid, and a Brazilian pterosaur that I can't remember the name of - all I remember is that it begins with a T). The taxidermy animals are amazing, and the collections are vast. They also have a complete fossil of Australian plesiosaur, called the Kronosaurus. Awe-inspiring. My husband who is not easily impressed was raving about the place after. We'll be back.