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First year not attending any Christmas parties, no family, no friends, just me and the baby.  Oh and the husband who has night shift and has to nap all day to prepare. I thought it might be a nice change to have a quiet holiday wearing sweat pants, just me and the baby, but I'm actually more tired now. I think I expected to have a chill day, just play with baby S and maybe watch a few Christmas movies, but instead, she decided to explode in her diaper, and I ended up having to do extra laundry on top of all the other things to keep her fed and happy (first world problem, yes, I know). Wish H would learn how to change diapers, sleep less, clean more, and maybe pick up breastfeeding as a side hobby.

Meanwhile, I always have raw fish to drown my sorrows in:  


We ordered take out from Steve's Poké Bar in Mount Pleasant after dropping off Christmas presents at the front door steps of our family and friends (following the social distancing rules!). This came highly recommended by P, who loves their first location up at SFU. I guess they're successful enough up there to start opening up more locations around the Lower Mainland, including this one in Vancouver.

Steve's Poke Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Both H and I had the California Dreamin', which consists of salmon and lots of edamame... That was my mistake. I shouldn't have chosen that one, because I actually find edamame disgusting, so I picked them all out and gave them to H.  The rice was also not our favourite, as it was a bit crumbly and did not have much flavor. They also did not have a brown rice option, which I prefer, but they do offer salad mix. 


The marinated salmon was actually really good though, so I wouldn't mind giving it a second try, and just pick my own toppings more carefully (no edamame!). I never thought of myself as a picky eater, but now that I think about it, I have some weird food habits, like this thing with the edamame. I also don't like raw nuts, particularly peanuts. I wonder if this would have been different if my parents put me through baby led weaning, which we've just started with baby S

This holiday season has not been easy, and what has made it easier is all the very thoughtful gifts and messages that friends and family have sent. Always working on that gratitude attitude... 

Picked up a dim sum platter from Sea Fortune for $38:


From the left corner and going clockwise, this platter includes: 
    -4 shrimp dumplings
    -3 sticky rice in lotus leaf wraps

    -4 panfried radish cake 

    -3 bbq pork buns

    -4 siu mai

There were also a few spring rolls, in a separate box, which I thought was quite thoughtful because it helped to prevent the crispy skins from getting soggy: 

Probably the best deal we've come across, and definitely the most aesthetically pleasing dim sum takeout around the Lower Mainland, just missing a piece of parsley garnish, or a carved carrot garnish. 

Sea Fortune Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The standards at Sea Fortune are pretty high, and both H and I were satisfied with the quality. Did I mention all of this food was only $38? 

You might think that it's a lot of food for just the two of us, even though we had some leftovers for breakfast the next day, but hey, stop judging us! I'm still breastfeeding, and constantly hungry. Baby S is still waking up in the middle of the night, but luckily, not as often as before, so I actually get a few REM cycles. I'm starting to feel a bit more like myself again!

Except when she's latched on to me. I get this wave of anxiety, and I think it's because I actually have to stop and sit down while nursing her. I can go on my phone, surf the net, read an eBook, but it's still a restriction on my freedom. Pumping is not a solution either, because I hate doing it even more, especially with all the parts to clean, and don't even suggest switching to formula. Baby S practically licks the floor, and I swear, if I don't protect her with the antibodies in my breast milk, she'd be sick everyday. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel though. We finally started her on solids at 6 and a half months, so my boobs will belong to me again soon enough. More updates on the solids in a future post.  

I haven't been very motivated to blog, since returning to Vancouver from Victoria, mostly because we've been eating at home more often. Not very interesting to post about my third Instapot chicken meal of the week, but at least I have my orange juice


I was pretty stoked when Glory Juice gave me my own code (LUWESA15) for 15% off their fresh cold-pressed juices this week.  When I was in Victoria, I had gotten into the habit of drinking Tropicana's orange juice with LOTS OF PULP, which I'm sure is just loaded with sugar and not very healthy, but I needed the vitamin C in the juice to go along with my iron pill. It actually makes a huge difference in my energy level when I don't take the iron pill with vitamin C, and an even bigger difference when I don't take the pill at all. Making sure my iron levels are maintained at a regular level is just another part of being a breastfeeding mom...

After coming home to Vancouver, we just haven't had the fridge space for a large carton of juice. I've attempted to remember to take the iron pill with an actual orange, but sometimes, I'm too busy or tired to bother (maybe if I had my iron pill, I wouldn't be so tired. Hmm...). 

Anyways, when I got the code, I immediately ordered both the options that matched the Vitamin C nutrition profile, as well as one of the juices that contain high iron, and one other for skin and hair health because I've been losing so much hair lately (postpartum effects, ugh). Tastes delicious. Also tastes guilt free, without added sugar, because they use real organic vegetables and fruits.  Also, the bottles are conveniently sized to fit my fridge. 

H went to pick up our online order for me, and he mentioned there was lots of great COVID-19 safety protocols being imposed at the Glory Juice location by Olympic Village. I'm sure the other locations in Yaletown and Coal Harbour are just as diligent with their safety procedures. 

Glory Juice Co. Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

These juices aren't cheap. Use LUWESA15 for 15% off online orders at Glory Juice

What else have we been up to? Sleep training, cloth diapering, learning to sit, and lots of time wasted on Instagram...