Enter here for the LeapFrog LeapPad Giveaway. But don't even bother because we're destined to win given the image of the device above *wink*.

[Video] New play kitchen

This video maybe long kinda boring because J is just playing quietly...but he's doing it for 3 min which is like eternity in the toddler world!! The play kitchen was only $20 -- it's a bit wobbly and doesn't have any sounds or lights. Speaking of awesome play kitchens, check out what That'sSoHuang's husband did with an Ikea EFFEKTIV furniture and LED lights. Show-off, just kidding, love them!

From IhackEA (husband's blog), More photos here

Anyways, my husband's like, "Maybe we should buy a more expensive one that has sounds and lights since J likes this one so much...He could have two!" Let the spoiling begin...

[Video] Fun on Black Friday

We went to the mall on Friday around 9:30am, and thank goodness, it wasn't as crowded as I had feared. Believe me, I was SCARED/NERVOUS, etc. J just wanted to ride the elevator up and down, and up and down again.

What did you on Black Friday?

Attempt at making peking duck

Remember I traded a guacamole recipe for a peking duck recipe last week? Well...here are some pictures of my first attempt at roasting a duck...

I bought the duckling frozen at a local Korean supermarket. It took me a while to decide how I was going to hang a duck to dry for 6 hours. I looked for metal hooks at the store but couldn't find any. So I decided to use trussing pins (is this what they're called?) and kitchen string.

After several attempts, I stuck a pin through the neck bone, out the other side, and looped the kitchen string around the pin several times. Here's the duck in the just-boiled water. I scooped the water over the top of the duck and the skin started pulling against the duck (tighter, I guess). The underside started cooking a bit.

I hung the duck out on the deck using a very sophisticated system of two chairs and a honing steel from the kitchen knife set. I put a bowl underneath to catch the drippings. Luckily, Thanksgiving was a very nice day (no snow this year on the East Coast) and was actually quite warm in the afternoon.

No neighbors were freaked out because (1) the duck had no head and (2) was hung low enough that you couldn't see it behind the railing of the deck. After 6 hours in the sun, the skin did feel thinner, like paper, and slightly crispy.

I roasted this duck for only two hours in the oven at 375F (the recipe originally called for 300F). The crispy skin was easy to remove. There was still fat under the skin, but it was easy to scrape off. The meat may have been a tad on the dry side. Mmmm...drumsticks!

I served them with steamed (plain) buns, which were thicker than I wanted but fine as a substitute.

I cut up scallion and served the duck with "sweet flour sauce" mentioned in my last post.

The reviews by my husband and sister-in-law were good. If I ever did it again, I'd...

1. Have a pair of food-tweezers to help with the cleaning process, i.e., plucking the remaining quills.
2. Wait until after the drying process to remove the quills. After it dries, the quills "pop" out more so they're easier to spot and remove.
3. Find metal hooks.
4. Perhaps baste the duck (so many drippings/fat) so that the skin is darker.

Did you try out a new recipe this Thanksgiving?

Man, Coco's getting big

Me: Man, Coco's getting big
My husband: Yea, I noticed too.

To myself, "I wonder why?" and even before I get a chance to ask the question aloud...

My husband: It must be the extra food I've been giving her -- instead of a scoop, I've been giving her one and a half scoops.
Me: What?! How long have you been giving her extra food?
My husband: Um...a few months now....
Me: Well, I guess that explains it.
My husband: I guess it does...Oops.

Coco's back to one scoop at mealtime, which is still twice a day, so don't be too sad for her.

(Unofficial) face of YoBaby

Put your child's face on the lids of YoBaby's yogurts. Mine's here. You could also be chosen as one of two weekly sweepstakes winners and get a month's worth of free yogurt plus a real YoBaby 4-pack (no yogurt inside) with your child's photo on it. We could use that -- J eats a yogurt a day! Goooo probiotics!

Reminiscing

Can you believe that my husband and I were already reminiscing about J? We were saying things like, "Remember when he was xx old and he did this and that?" He's only 15 months! I can't imagine what sorts of things we'll be saying when he's 5 years old, 10 years old, 20 years old...I'm getting ahead of myself.

This blog is sorta a repository for all the memories we have of J, and it's so fun to read old posts. But the number of posts is just going to be too many to read one day, so I've decided to start a list.

Infant 0-6 months:

1. You were born with the longest, skinniest arms and legs.
2. Grandpa said you'd be President one day.
3. As a newborn, you clenched your fists when you cried but always left out an index finger as if to say, "Whaaaat do you thiiiiink you are doooooooing?!"
4. The first two weeks home from the hospital, nothing could wake you.
5. After that, nothing could make you sleep!
6. You hated baths until you were allowed to be submerged.
7. Everyone loved when you feel asleep in their arms.
8. You enjoyed your 1-month celebration and weren't bothered by all the noise/excitement.

9. You had pretty bad eczema. Every morning, Daddy rubbed Aquaphor on your skin while you stared at the jar. You loved that jar.
10. Daddy also made sure to rub your belly so that you wouldn't have stomach aches. He believed in good circulation.
11. The first winter in Maryland, the heating system in our rental was messed up for months. It was 85F upstairs but 45F downstairs. You were always dressed in two layers and a cap and maybe a blanket too.
12. You had (and still have) the most beautiful smile. Grandma still calls you Little Sunshine.

13. You loved sucking in your top lip repeatedly. Wish we had a video! 

Baby 6-12 months:

1. You sure loved to read with us! The textures, the colors.

2. You started exploring the world on your own.
3. Lots of milestones - mastering pincer grip, rolling over, sipping from a cup, crawling, first teeth, standing, and first words.

4. And of course you did so good on your first birthday! No meltdowns :).

Toddler 12-18 months:

1. Started daycare. Mommy was so sad (and so were you) when you first started, but now, we both have great attitudes at the goodbye.

2. Second word - Daddy's favorite ;)
3. When you got excited, you'd bang your head against the nearest surface -- wall, floor, toy.
4. You really liked to watch objects spin -- stacking rings, coasters.
5. Your mode of transportation was pushing a truck or holding our hands.
6. You played A LOT more with us -- cat & mouse, hide & seek, riding on Daddy's shoulders, chicken dance, dancing in general.

7. You started feeding yourself with a spoon.
8. You took your first steps!
9. You gave hugs & kisses.
10. You had this love of fleece. You liked to rub your cheek against it! Hahaha...

All dressed up, somewhere to go?

This time of year all the stores start pushing their pretty party dresses on us girls, and I'm always like That's so cute...except I have nowhere to go!

Well, we have an annual PSU-alum holiday party but that's pretty casual. But I'm feeling like sequins this year (or anything sparkly) even though J will probably yank them all off. I got the inspiration from ExtraPetite.com.

From top left clockwise (you can also click on the images above for the links to the retailer too):
1. Old Navy Sequin-front camis in sandstone, also in black and white, $22.94
2. Victoria Secret's Sequin racerback tank in plum, oyster, cobblestone and black, $59.50
3. Forever 21 Sequined tank top in green, also in red and black, $13.50
4. White House Black Market Allover sparkle top, $78
5. Banana Republic Sequin party shell in bronze, also in black, $49.50, now 30% using BRPARTY

I think they're fun without being too formal when paired with some jeans.

Attending any events for the holidays?

What will you be wearing? 

It was nice out

After J was feeling better, we finally got outside! It was so nice out even though there was no sun. There was no wind. The humidity was just right. And it wasn't cold (see, no jackets!). We went out once in the morning (picture above). And once in the afternoon/evening (eerie picture below). We love being outdoors!

P.S. Love my new iPhone and Instagram. Follow me at lisacng.