Oh Dear, Gestational Diabetes.

What a bummer it has been to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes at week 33. I used to eat whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted, but that has all changed drastically to not fail the test (4 times daily).

It’s a little different from UK to USA so I’ve heard. For UK, the target glucose level (1) hour after a meal is 7.5 mmol/L and before breakfast (fasting) is 5.3 mmol/L. For USA, they calculate over 130 mg/dL as being too high. Also, I got tested at week 31 and looks like USA tests before 28 weeks.

Back to the diet changes – wow! It’s like a tough battle of trial and error on what I can/cannot eat especially for breakfast.  I’ve figured it out so I can have peanut butter on wheat bread. Cut out the fruit and milk. Lovely.

Meals have turned into nuts, eggs, minimal wheat bread/pita, japchae (Korean noodles), chicken, and sadly more veggies.

📷: broccolini & bell peppers stir fried with the best soy sauce in the world #wanjashan – vegetarian mushroom sauce. This sauce is thicker and not salty so extra easy to cook without bringing out some sugar and starch from your cabinet to mix with your soy sauce.

To add more salt to the wound, Abigail is now on summer break until September 6. This is definitely making the last trimester a little harder. I can easily say the 2nd pregnancy is harder than the 1st now since it is less relaxing and more outings with the little.

📷: playdate with her mates

📷: Day 1 at the park. She took a tumble shortly after this. Ouch.

📷: Twirls on this dress from @peytonslane is a yes. Love this shop – check it out for some adorable patterns on her handmade products! And of course, rocking her Freshly Picked moccasins.

Wrapping it up – I now understand what it feels like to have dietary restrictions not by choice. Dreadful, but thinking optimistically – it will hopefully be easier to lose the baby weight after baby is born.

Cheers for now.

Mommy & Daughter France Trip.

It was a little crazy to go on a trip without the hubs at 32 weeks pregnant but I did have some of my besties there so I guess technically it wasn’t just the bugaboo and me.

We took the Eurostar from London to Paris which is a smooth and quick 2.5 hour ride. The journey is pretty seamless so I would just advise getting to the station at least 1.5 hours in advance if you’re traveling with little(s). Oh, and if you’re preggos – you just may get special treatment. 😎

This trip was mainly just to visit the main sights since it’s pretty amazing now how Abigail actually remembers things at age 3 versus age 2. We did Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, walked along the Champs Elysees to shop, Versailles & Giverny (Monet’s house). Relatively pretty relaxing as we used both the metro and uber along with walking of course.

Thoughts traveling with a 3 year old (from my experience):

• US people – get used to no toilet seat covers for your little (or yourself)
• bring an extra change of clothes if you’re going to be out for the day
• anti-bacterial wipes for everything they’re touching
• ice cream is everywhere – this is perfect for bribing along with Haribo gummies. 😜

 

📷: Rocking it “Thriller” style even after having to go potty right before in let’s say not a toilet. 😁 What do you parents do when they say they have to go and there is not a toilette in sight? #pleaseshare

Product Review LOVE: EleStory

OMG, I can’t stop raving about the quality and details of EleStory dresses. They really bring out the magic in dresses and where you’re at. I received several compliments during the day about her dress and how she was twirling about in it. Love the linen material, length (this is toddler 2/3), and of course the flutter sleeves.

Product Review LOVE: TWELVElittle

We have the Companion backpack in Plus (shown above) and it’s the perfect fit. It doesn’t feel or look like a diaper bag but has the compartments for easy access to baby needs.

• In my backpack, I was able to easily put in snacks, ipad w/kid cover, 2 changes of outfits, light jacket, sunscreen, lotion, medicine, coloring book/pad with markers, and of course some of my things with room to spare to go shopping.
• Another perk is the hidden zipper section on the bottom of the bag to put dirty nappies or something you want separated from the rest of things.  Since right now it is just for my toddler, it has straws, napkins, and paper (things won’t bend in here).
• Maybe it’s the OCD in me, but one detail I noticed is the 4 metal balls at the bottom of the backpack so the waterproof material doesn’t touch the ground.  How nifty is that?
• Of course, not every bag is perfect so I would note if they’re making new bags, I would love to have one bigger compartment to put papers/ipad in and also it would be great to have the jacket hang on the side of the bag instead of inside (probably wouldn’t look as fashionable but it sure will save space inside).

📷: No Paris trip is complete without macaroons from Laduree.  We also had the pistachio milk shake and I was sure I was in heaven. Money well spent as it was also my last sweet I am to eat for this pregnancy now since I got the phone call from the hospital that my blood glucose level is too high. Buggers. 😓

Product LOVE: Bows!

I’m thrilled that she wants to wear bows and accessories in her hair so have found some amazing shops I support and love as they have the cutest prints and are well made. She doesn’t wear headbands so I can’t vouch for that, but future baby girl will be able to.

Mia_Handmade – her amazing butterfly designs have made me fallen in love with this shop and the mama.  She also has pom poms and my personal favorite genuine leather bows. LOVE.

Maddie and me London – who doesn’t love liberty of london fabric?  This American mom makes them and they are adorable.

James and Faye – I love the way her bows are made. They look so cute in Abigail’s hair. Well made!

📷: Versailles Palace was gorgeous! It was a cloudy day, but great for the girls pretending they were ballerinas in their dresses from Taylor Joelle Designs. What I would recommend is getting a golf cart (32 euros a hour).

Product LOVE: Bella | Ha shoes

These sandals are amazing and very comfortable (no joke!). What is probably the best part about this shop is they give back. With every pair of Bella | Ha shoes, it will help send solar suitcases to an area of the world in need. What is a solar suitcase?  It’s a portable, suitcase-like device that equips off-the-grid medical clinics with solar power so they can have light. Get your pair today! They can easily dress up an outfit.

📷: Giverny – what a cute countryside and home to Claude Monet. We decided to drive from Paris to Versaille to Giverny so we weren’t confined to the hours of a day tour. It was a nice drive.  Sadly, I wasn’t able to visit inside Monet’s house since Abigail had too much fun at Versailles and was still snoozing in the car when we arrived and by the time she woke up, Monet’s house had closed (6pm).

Product LOVE: Tiny Tinks

How cute is this doll?  We couldn’t be more happier with her.  Ours also came with a tutu but we left it at home as this traveling dolly didn’t want to get her clothes dirty.  There are different accessories you can add on and you can pick your colors to make your perfect dolly for your little. This will be a dolly she won’t let out of her sight as she also sleeps with her!

…and that wraps up our mommy/daughter trip before baby girl comes in August.

Cheers for now!

Walks Around Town.

Even though it was pouring rain this morning and we got drenched (holding 2 umbrellas), I think walks around the town are so amazing to the development of our little and just taking the world in. There is so much to see and you don’t necessarily have to travel far to see it (even though I love to travel and jet set around the world).

My little loves to sing and just chatter away about anything and everything. Some I don’t understand as I don’t think it’s even English or Chinese, but when I do understand it, it is so crazy to hear the things she remembers. They are definitely a sponge and even when we think they are not listening, they are – eek!

I think the most important part of this time is that we are in the present (ok, besides the picture taking part) and engaged. We’re not distracted with technology and replying back to something but looking around and just taking life in.

Some of the things we do on walks to keep the conversation and interaction going and help the walks fly by are:

• I spy (something brown and eating)

• What is that? (a little house, little bear’s flat)

• What do you do when… (crossing the street?)

• Do you remember? (being silly with Goofy)

• Tell me (what letter/number that is – houses and license plates are perfect for this! 📷: Pebble Child toy block – part of my G & H limited edition gift set)

• Who is (e.g. relatives, friends, classmates. 📷::that is your buddy baby Cameron)

• Languages (using English vs. Chinese)

Do you have any fun things you do on walks or funny stories to tell?  Would love to hear from YOU.

Cheers for now!

www.ajangsley.com

Love Freshly Picked.

Who doesn’t need a pair (or several) pairs of moccasins? I’m a fan of the show Shark Tank – a show that can give you funding to dream big if you come up with that one idea/product that can make millions. This is also a franchise of the international format, Dragons’ Den from Japan.

How I wish my children’s alphabet books series could get on this show! 

This company called Freshly Picked caught my attention while on the show so I had to get a pair as Susan’s story is truly inspirational. Starting back in 2009 and growing so much since then with a following of 614k on Instagram and probably sales through the roof.  Wow!
I can easily say my 3 year old daughter loves her freshly picked. She currently has 2 pairs in London which she uses one pair for nursery (they switch shoes once inside) and the other is currently used in our flat.  I can’t wait to get the next step (hard soles) once her feet get bigger so she wear them outdoors all day long.

AND get this:

• @10am MST May 25th
  
• EVERYTHING in the shop will be 25% off
  
• Lasts for 24-hours only
  

My thoughts of Freshly Picked. 

Love

• She can put them on herself.
• No left & right to have to worry about. Yay!
• Incredibly soft from the beginning (no “breaking in” involved).
• No stinky feet smell!
• Toddler approved.
• The sole gets her little feet imprints on there. Precious!

A little less love 

• We have the “merci” mocs and the pattern is nice but not as soft as the brown mocs we also have. She definitely has a favorite pair.
• Not exactly city appropriate with all the debris on the sidewalks and streets. Recommend for those living in the suburbs.
• London rain and cold doesn’t go well with mocs unless you’re not OCD like me. 😬

  

📷: my little helper #lovebooksbyaj

Cheers for now and thank you for reading/supporting! Don’t forget about the sale on May 25th.

www.ajangsley.com

May The Force Be With Us.

We (I mean Abigail) are super excited to go to Disneyland Paris for her birthday present this Friday (taking the Eurostar – a faster ride than driving to Vegas from SoCal). We are also to the moon happy this has gotten her to take showers instead of baths.

She’s got her Mouseketeer Scout bag all packed and ready to go with her essentials to the happiest place on earth.

• #lovebooksbyAJ: sneak peek of H is for Hippo about special events during the year
• Daylong sunscreen – my absolute fav’
• Sunnies
• Minnie headband which will get taken off quickly to wear a bow

Recommended product: Salt City scout bag

• Biggest thing about this amazing mama/owner behind Salt Cities.  She’s also a company that gives back like me!  Besides donating their bows to a good cause, they also donate $1 from each sale to this great charity, Cranio Care Bears, that functions off donations from cranio families and good samaritans all over the world, along with the sales of cranio gear from their own shop. They work tirelessly to make sure that any family that wants a care package for their cranio baby gets one free of charge. Wow, can we say awesome?!
• Check out her stylish products from bows, clothes, bags to swaddles – even one of my favorite, gorgeous Instagram mom’s (Amberfillerup) kids rocked her outfits and accessories!

Like before, I like to highlight some fun facts. These are about what makes the Paris park differ from the others. Facts courtesy of Pierre Michonneau from Buzzfeed. Love!

• The Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris is the fastest of the five in operation. It is also the only one that goes upside-down.
• At its opening in 1992, Disneyland Paris had trouble adapting to the local cultural traditions of France and Europe. For example, none of the restaurants served wine, which was quickly corrected. According to Philippe Gas, CEO from 2008 to 2014, the park had to learn to “remain Disney, while integrating with the local culture.”
• The castle at Disneyland Paris is one-of-a-kind. At other Disney parks, the castles take on the appearance of those typically found throughout Europe, but in Paris they might suffer from comparisons with local European architecture. It was decided that the castle at Disneyland Paris would be deliberately fanciful, evoking the imagery of fairy tales instead of historical buildings.
• The castle at Disneyland Paris is the only one of all the Disney parks to house a dragon in its vaults. This dragon, which moves and lets out the occasional roar, is the largest animatronic character in the park, measuring over 75 feet long and weighing over 5,500 pounds.

May the force bring us sunshine and sweet memories. 

📷 loc: Shoreditch next to the park as of May 14, 2016

📷: Copying her buddy – #hangingtough

One more thought, we did our research and decided on staying outside the resort since we would mainly just be sleeping at hotel after a long day at the park. After scouring hotels, we decided on this the Explorer Hotel based on a couple points.

• Nice swimming pool/soft play.
• It was decorated as if we are still the park.
• Free shuttle to/from park.
• More to come whether that be the truth. 

Thanks again for joining my blog and the birthday wishes to my bugaboo.  Cheers for now!

G is for Great Greece.

Part 2: Delphi & Meteora

Simply amazing. Pictures don’t do these two cities justice especially Meteora and the majestic monasteries sitting atop these cliffs dating back to the 1300s.

Delphi

📷: On the drive to Delphi

📷: Cute little town of Delphi

Travel Recommended Product:

• Bobble is our go to bottle for Abigail as it has a filter and doesn’t leak. Although, after looking at it’s website, I don’t see the small bottle that Abigail uses listed anymore (18.5 oz is what they have which may be a little heavy for a 2 year old). #bobble help!

📷: Our guide at the Delphi Ruins

📷: Finally warmed up a bit to not wear a jacket (end of April).

  

Product LOVE:

• This girl has to take off the bracelets while eating. We love our pineapple bracelet from Zopihi.  They have the cutest children’s jewelry designed in Austin, inspired by Maui.  The best thing about their products are they are lead, cadium, and phthalates free. Mums – go check them out!

Meteora

📷: Crazy wind makes a crazy #mombun

  

📷: The Meteora – one of the largest and most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece, second only to the Mount Athos. More info, check out wikipedia

📷: Along the drive in the mountains there were these stands – I wonder exactly what the significance is. Anyone know?

Travel recommended product:

• We are in love with our passport holder from Up & Away. It’s easy to hold the passports together with up to a family of 5, putting your cards in one spot, and some cash as well. If you travel as much as us, you can also stick extra landing cards in there! And, I can’t forget that you can choose from a variety of colors and patterns for the interior and exterior – keeping the jet setting family in style!  LOVE – make these a perfect Mother’s Day present. *hint, hint.

📷: The town of Meteora. We ate at the Gardenia (pictured left) which was just OK, but as always friendly service.

Product LOVE:

• My little loves her Mini Melissa shoes – she thinks she’s walking the catwalk!  Definitely be prepared for how quickly they will get scuffed up.  Cool thing – they have this baby powder smell. No stinky feet for her!

📷: We stayed at the Grand Meteora Hotel which was nice that it is new with a gorgeous view of the rocks. However, if you’re looking for strong wi-fi or pool after your hike around Meteora, this definitely isn’t the place for you.

• Tip: I always read and write reviews from trip advisor.  I’ve found them generally pretty accurate for the hotels. Food wise – it’s definitely a hit or miss. 

📷: view from our balcony

Cheers for now!

G is for Gorgeous Greece.

Athens

Wow, so far Greece is what I pictured and anticipated. Athens is our first stop of our last big week long European trip as a family of three.
Usually, before a trip, I love reading some “did you know?” facts about places we go – they’re great conversation openers so hopefully you share them. These are my top three: 

• First Olympic Games: The first Olympic games were held in Athens in 776 BC.The first games as we know them were held here in 1896, the city then hosted them again in 2004 (venere). To note, all of the street signs of Athens had to be changed to include a Latin spelling under the Greek before hosting the 2004 games!
• According to Greek mythology, Athena and Poseidon competed for the honour of being the patron of the capital city, each offering a gift to gain favour with the people. The olive tree (given by Athena) was deemed more valuable than the water provided by Poseidon, so the city was named after her. It’s the world’s 3rd largest producer of olives! (lowcostholidays)
• Greece enjoys more than 250 days of sunshine—or 3,000 sunny hours—a year (randomhistory)…oh so jealous with this London weather we have!

📷: theatre (said the theatre originated in Greece)

📷: heading up Acropolis (balloon courtesy of Hard Rock Cafe where we ate later)

📷: amazing view at the top of Acropolis.

  📷: plaza where the flea markets/shopping is at. Pretty hectic, but not overwhelming.

📷: national garden

📷: chilling like a local.

📷: delicious loukoumades (Greek donuts)

 📷: view from our hotel rooftop: Royal Olympic. Centrally located, but pictures were definitely enhanced with the “renovations.”  We had to hold the shower head to shower. Painful – hello dry shampoo!

 #familyselfie

Cheers for now!