Chopping off my locks

It's been over 2 years since I've cut my hair. My son is now 3 months old and my hair is starting to fall out. It's been getting on my nerves since it's so long. It gets in the way when I sleep and my 1.5 year old likes to pull it. Sometimes, I put my elbow on the ends of it and try to get up... ouch!

So... I've decided it was time to chop it off. It's so long that I can donate it too. The last time I chopped this much off, I donated it to Locks of Love.

I always worry when cutting my hair because I would secretly cry after. I never found someone that understood what I really wanted. I don't cut my hair often but when I do, I don't want to come home crying and regretting it... this was how it was all my life. I tried the expensive salons where I ended up paying over $40 for my hair cut. I've gone to the cheap salons up and down Stockton Blvd in Sacramento & know that I'm getting what I pay for but I still go...

When I decided to cut my hair 2 years ago (and it was just about this long), I decided to go to GiGi who I went to school with but we were never close. She was always so nice though :)

Anyway, I loved how she cut my hair.. so of course, I went back to Studio G to get my haircut this time... and I'm loving it! 

Now, my hair isn't in my way & I had 21 inches of hair to donate!

Here's me in March 2012 (I guess it was longer!)

 

Fun Day At The Park

We stopped by this park near the river today to let the boys burn some energy. I happen to have my camera and wanted to practice. 

Connor sure loved the swing!

This photo just made me laugh out loud because I felt the "fun" he was having. Lots of giggling too. 

Then they wanted to go see the river. 

They were too close to the "edge" for my comfort. But he loved watching the boats. 

Heading back down with the help of his big brother. 

There were Dandelions everywhere!

He tried really hard to blow it like his brother!

Daddy got to hold baby (often rare). 

Auntie was there too!

Essential Oils Vaporizer

I started using essential oils when I had Bell's Palsy. I've never really been big into natural health remedies. If there's a drug out there for my colds, I'm all over it! 

I use Tea Tree Oil & Lemongrass oil for my DIY Baby Wipes... it smells so good.

When I had Bell's Palsy, it felt like the doctor's couldn't help me. For the first time, I felt so frustrated because they didn't know how people get Bell's Palsy. There were theories but they admit that no one really knows... So I was given steroids and antibiotics (I was 17 weeks pregnant so I was not happy). 

Anyway, the web turned me to Essential Oil (People who've had it, recommended it). I had some from earlier this year but I plan to collect more! They're pricey so it will take a long time to stock up lol I buy NOW brand because it's more in my budget.

Fast forward.. I wanted something to diffuse my oils for this cold my family has caught. So after reading many reviews and seeing that a lot of EO users recommend this one on their blogs, I bought the Green Air Vaporizer on eBay (it was slightly cheaper than Amazon).

When I received it, I LOVED it. WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG!?! :)

It's easy to use and clean. It changes to pretty colors and I love the sound of it as I sleep. It's quiet but makes a little soothing sound (I'm a light sleeper).

My boys are fascinated with the changing colors and vapors. I may have to buy more!


Update: Well, being new to using EOs, I started to do more research and there are oils such as Peppermint & Eucalyptus that are not safe for young children. SO... I won't be using these around my kids but just thought I'd share that. Like with any medications, herbs, etc. it's probably best to check for safety uses for children!

Why I blog

Why do I blog? I'm not a writer. In fact, English was my 2nd language and I hated English class... Especially writing assignments! So as you read my posts, don't mind all the incorrect grammars and spelling... Incomplete sentences, etc. 

I blog because I want to keep track of my life. My family's life. I want to keep track of all the DIY projects... This is my diary or journal. I guess you can call it that. I used to write things down on a word doc but I couldn't access it whenever I wanted to!

My family is part of the thousands of immigrants from Southeast Asia who came to America in the 80s for a better life. In fact during my adult life, I discovered that I was born in a refugee camp! I guess we never talked about the past.. I always imagined I was born in a village. 

Anyway, there's no real record of my family history and although I don't plan to blog about everything, I'd like to keep track of some things such as our family camp trips :). We camp religiously every year and I want to document that for my boys. 

I have an obsession with DIY projects. When I was little, I remember watching my dad make a lot of different things from building a bunk bed for my sister and I to weaving baskets out of plastic strips (I can't remember what the materials were). Anyway, I remember watching him in awe and thinking to myself, this is so cool! I hope I can learn how to make my own things when I get older!

And then there's my passion for photography. Ever since I was little, I've always wanted to be an artist. I loved making things & draw/paint and creating pieces of art (in many forms). Then there's the art of photography. Remember now, when I was growing up, digital photography was not so big yet. My family owned a 35mm Cannon camera and we couldn't afford to buy a lot of film. We didn't even own a computer. That wasn't around either! Wow, am I just a dinosaur? Haha. When I got my first point and shoot camera, I was so excited. I took TONS of pictures (I still do) of everything. I didn't realize it then but I already had an eye for composition. I was really picky about my photos and how in focus they are, exposure, etc. Anyway, taking photos for my blog helps me practice on my photography. 

So now, I've learned so much about photography (and still learning) and I'm always behind the camera especially since I now have 3 little boys and I plan to document their lives through photography. I look back at my life and it almost feels like I don't have any memories. No photos. Most of what I think I remember feels like it might have been a dream (luckily some of my siblings confirm my memories are in fact real). 

Anyway, I LOVE Pinterest. I remember saving recipes and DIY projects on my web browsers "favorites" but then if I needed to access it outside of my home, I couldn't. Then Pinterest happened! I can save all the links in one place? AND I can access it on my phone, anywhere??? Hallelujah! 

Sadly, I work full time so when I return to work (from maternity leave) I won't have as much time to do... Anything! Boooo!

Bell's Palsy Update - 7 Months

I'm not sure what "day" it is but it's been 7 months and although I'm fine physically, I still feel soreness in my face. I don't really notice it until there's pressure such as when I wash my face or graze it moving my hair off my face... Yes. Even light pressure causes soreness. 

I ended up with a C-Section at 34 weeks.  The pain seemed worse after delivery. I spoke to my OB about the soreness and she said because I went through major surgery, it got worse. I'm not quite sure she knows what she's talking about only because when I first saw her about my condition, she admitted that she didn't know much about Bell's Palsy. *sigh* She said it will get better. It was almost like when a someone tells you a sad story and you don't know what to say and it seems that the comforting thing to say is "It will get better". Maybe it's just what we hope for... For things to get better. 

Anyway, that was a couple of months ago and it hasn't gotten better. In fact, I think my eye feels funny too. Well, at least it didn't get worse. For some reason, I think this is the best it will get. This will be the long term effects I have from it.