Volo flashback!

Folks, get ready for extreme cuteness overload . . . !

Last week, my "Little Dude" and "Big Dude" revisited Volo Wine Bar, the scene of our baby shower eight months ago––or as I like to think––nearly as long as Baby Maxwell has been baking in the oven! These adorable shirts, courtesy of my aunt from the shower, were the perfect outfits to wear to this dinner occasion, don't you think?

{ Video } Maestro Max

This video was taken three weeks ago when Max was 6 months and 1 week. Sorry for the late posting, but just came across it recently and had to share!! He kinda looks like a little Elvis, all he needs is a little chest tuft. Enjoy!

What I Wore: High-low hem + seersucker

I wore this breezy outfit to a kids birthday party in Lakeview––it was 80 something degrees that day and all I could think about was, What can I wear without showing up in my birthday suit?? Yep, that's how hot it was. Baby Max coordinated with a romper in seersucker, courtesy of his Auntie Jessi during the Macys shopping trip in New York (which pretty much outfitted his entire 9-18 month closet, by the way!). 

I wore a sheer Topshop blouse, seersucker shorts from a boutique in Coral Gables, belt H&M, wedges Nickels.   

The weekend, succinctly

I've been living in Chicago for five years now and it still surprises me when I find myself wondering, How does it go from 90 degrees one day to 55 in the next? Silly me. Today I had to wear two layers and dig out the potato sack for Baby Max, but the hot temps over the weekend made it feel like summer, perfect for a sundress and bare feet. We hunkered down and stayed put in our neighborhood as it was NATO weekend in downtown Chicago. Max and I picked a shady spot in the park across the street and stretched out. So nice! We're gonna make this a new tradition, moving forward.

Barely legal

{ "Toot toot! Asian driver coming your way!" }

Max seemed to have had a good romp at a local playroom yesterday (even when a toddler girl stole his donut rings right out of his hands, then his toy truck). Mommy had less of a blast when she thought her Baby Bjorn was stolen––turns out probably some toddler picked it up from my stash of belongings and moved it way across the room.  

Max's BFF

Max had another playdate in East Lakeview this week! When Max was around four months old, I joined a mom's group in the city through Meetup.com when I finally felt more ready to commit to organized activities. Well, call it a semi-commitment, as it really depends on Max's nap schedule that day whether we end up making it or not!  

Max's media party!

{ "Yum!" }

Yesterday Baby Maxwell attended his first media party for Dining Out Chicago magazine. It was held at the sidewalk patio of Prasino, among the newest on the scene in sustainable dining in Wicker Park. We've spent a lot of time on Division Street recently, I like it because it's trendy without the overbearing Gold Coast feel. He We enjoyed passed nibbles, summer cocktails, and early evening sunshine just before bedtime!

What I Wore: Sparkles for Mother's Day

It seems that I reserve this sparkly top for special occasions (like for this and this), and Mother's Day was no exception. I wore it to a relaxed dinner and then to walk the dog. I tend to wear less precious materials these days, but can't resist donning this colorful number every once in awhile. Sparkles make me happy :)

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, my wonderful husband gave me surprise sweets from Lovely Bake Shop and a sweeter card! Obviously, the best gift on this holiday was a precious baby seven months ago.

NYC food trip

{ dim sum, first meal in New York }

Every time we see my family, food is involved, whether it's large, homecooked meals or dining out. Lots and lots of it. It's a hazard that automatically comes with being from a Chinese family: I'm always well-overfed, just the way I like it. While in New York, you can bet we spent quality time in the best Chinatown on this side of the pond, having lavish meals of Cantonese dim sum, Shanghai dumplings and noodles, or Szechuan. 

The weekend, succinctly

A old girl friend was in Chicago for the weekend. With The Fella out of town, it was the perfect occasion to host an intimate dinner party (for the first time since Baby Max was born over six months ago!) for the ladies. Fancy wine and cheese, a homecooked meal, fresh-snipped lilacs, and a few stories about the horrors of law firms all contributed to a very entertaining night––it was like old times and Book Club, minus one founding member!

Playdate in Lakeview

Baby Max had a playdate this week with a group of 11 babies! That's too many to count. I could barely find my kid in the overflow of flailing arms and legs! It's cool watching my baby begin to enjoy interacting with other babies his own age. It wasn't even a month ago when Max didn't really know what to make of playdates, or know what to do; lately now, whenever we walk FurFur by the playground across the street, Max gurgles excitedly, his way of "speaking" as if acknowledging the babies in strollers, the other kids on the swings, the see-saw, the slide! 

Iconic Macys & South Street Seaport

Among our favorite destinations in New York, by far, is South Street Seaport. Sometimes we would take walks from my grandmother's apartment in Lower Manhattan to the seaport, eat in an outdoor cafe, do some shopping, or read by the sea. So after our usual girls' shopping trip to Macys in Herald Square on this last trip, we thought it would be a good idea (and lovely photo opps!) to unwind in the breeze and sun by the seaport on this lovely New York day. 

What I Wore: Florals, chambray & cupcakes

On a dreary day in New York, my sister and I made a quick run from the apartment to pick up some sweets from Molly's, a kitschy cupcake shop in the West Village. (They have Molly's in Chicago, too!) The weather was cold and wet, but nothing some bright florals and mini vanilla and chocolate cupcakes couldn't fix :)

The weekend, succinctly

I'm behind on regular blogging following the New York trip, so bear with me while I play catch up IRL and on here! Last weekend, when we returned, we barbecued with a couple of friends who live downstairs. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long, sad trip: whipping grilled veggies and meat (including the meat mentioned here) into amazing concoctions of salads and burgers, laughter, and a few furry pals––all what I consider to make up the perfect "Grownup Barbecue."

Feed me!

I interrupt regularly scheduled posts about our New York City trip with my family for breaking news: Baby Maxwell started solids this weekend! 

Okay, he didn't get anything too exciting––just bland rice cereal mixed with milk––but nevertheless, Max had his first taste of something other than straight-up boobie milk*, yea!

Max has been interested in food for some months now, very fascinated by whatever I'm eating. Lately he had begun trying to swipe my fork or spoon out of my hands, or grab my plate if I sat too close to him while eating. These are signs that he would be a pretty good eater, I hoped. 

Max in NYC!

^^Buddha baby.

As I mentioned here, we spent some time hanging out in the park below my grandmother's apartment in Lower Manhattan. Max got to enjoy the crisp New York air with the grandparents and some aunties, the weather was so lovely our first and last day! I think Max liked it :)

Winged teardrops falling down, falling down

The first day we arrived in New York City, we spent some time in my grandmother's apartment and the park downstairs. We used to pass time idly in this park, watch lightening bugs glow, when we were visiting her as young children. This time, we spent it remembering her as cherry blossoms fell from the sky like winged teardrops. Two days later, the blossoms were all gone and replaced by green leaves.