Lucky Duck

Isabel turned 3 months last week, and you'd think that it's her birthday by all the presents that came for her...

Another package from Down Under...This is her 3rd? 4th? Seriously, this child has more "friends" than we do. In it were the cutest stuff...absolutely love the hat...I had to put it immediately on Isabel. And those booties are the coolest! Thank you so much Godsister VN (and of course, Uncle C!)



And then there was a very classy packaged one from Ralph Lauren. That's from her uber posh Godmother Sher, of course. Love the summer frock, and the bloomers that came with it. I have a thing for bloomers...I am SO glad that I ended up with a girl!

There is also a beautiful hand-knitted blanket from a lady that I work with. Now, I've never met her (she works in the IL facility), and I don't particularly have a lot of communication with her. So I found it incredibly sweet of her to take so much time and effort to make something for Isabel.

Oh, and check out her pants that she's wearing today....Aren't they awesome? I think they are heel-arious. Thanks again, Godmother Hua!

With all the excitement of opening the presents, she was all knackered out by the end of it...Ah...the stressful life of being a baby...

No Updates

Not because I don't want to, but time has since been a precious commodity since returning to work 3 weeks ago.

If you peek into our windows on the weeknights, you'll be bored stiff as I go to bed the same time as Isabel does. My husband now plays chef, maid and errand runner in this household. I don't know what we would do without him.

To add to that, we are all sick. Isabel ended week 1 of daycare with a congested nose, and by week 2, she's coughing. By week 3, it's croup. Unfortunately, the 2 visits I had to the doctors resulted in nothing more than "Let us know if it gets worse". So we are stuck here, helpless while she coughs her little heart out. The little dear has been such a champ about it though, and she still smiles and laughs after a particular bad bout of body shaking coughs. Although she now hates the booger sucker with a passion and will scream the moment we come anywhere near her nose with it.

This sucks.

The End

5 pm yesterday officially marked the end of my maternity leave. How fast it has flown by. Looking at her now, I am still astounded at how much she's grown. In front of my very eyes. There are times when I'll scratch my head and wonder, how did she get so big? My baby is not so much a baby anymore. Even though I was with her every single one of those days, I feel like I missed something. And I'll wish that there was a rewind button somewhere for me to be able to relive those days, to experience it all over again, to ensure that I didn't miss a single second of it. And it makes me wish that none of that time was wasted with the unimportant things.

She goes to daycare on Monday. As I watched her sleep tonight, I started calculating. She'll be spending more time with the teachers at the daycare than with my husband and I. And then I started bawling. What if through time, she starts preferring them? Will she forget me? Right now, I'm the one she wants when she's really upset, tired, etc. What if there comes a time in the near future when she's crying out for comfort but she doesn't want it from me? Please say it isn't so. I wouldn't be able to bear it, my heart would break.

I miss her already.

A Step Up

Who wants to sleep in a dinky little bassinet when you can have the whole Heavenly bed?

Isabel has moved into the guest room for her naps. And she's loving it...because she actually stays asleep for longer than 2 minutes in it (which, by the way, is the record time for how long she stays sleeping in the bassinet)

Which is good for me, since I can then use the time to do things that keep me sane. I.e cleaning the whole kitchen from top to bottom - Yes, I do realize that the previous sentence in and of itself is enough for one to proclaim that I've already lost my marbles (Clean the kitchen when you can be sleeping??) What can I say? I'm my mother's child.

All Gone =(

The last of our guests left. After three months, our house is empty again, with the exception of a little bundle of joy, who sometimes turns into a bundle of screams. Very loud screams.

How do we deal with it? Besides bawling uncontrollably, we've also resorted to another classic method.

Adds a little sweetness and comfort back into life. Plus, it comes in handy when all of my mom's thoughfully prepared meals are gone.

Cake and a diet coke for dinner, anyone?

How To Take A Bath

1) Undress and get wrapped in a blanket. We don't like the cold.

2) Wash hair - This part we like. There's just something about warm water trickling through the scalp. And don't forget the head massages, please

3) Dry hair - still liking this. Feel free to coo and gurgle to show appreciation

4) Now we get to the fun part - soaping up. At this point, start screaming and crying to your heart's content.

5) Into the tub we go to de-soap. Again, continue screaming and crying to your heart's content, but don't forget to wash your armpits

6) Fluffy towel, here we come. Dry both body and tears please

7) Get dressed and be wrapped up as snug as a bug in a rug

8) Once all bath paraphenilia are put away, promptly spit up to show them who's still boss

Oy...

Two Peas of a Pod

Little Things, Big Satisfaction

I got dressed up in regular clothes, complete with make up and hair routines, for the first time in 2 months. Although it wasn't easy putting eyeliner on while carrying an infant, and that i got spit up on shortly after, it still felt dang good.

And I can now fit into my 3rd fat jeans - the ones right before my regular stuff. So, woo hoo.

Happy CNY!

Happy Chinese New Year! Usually, I would have no clue as to when this holiday falls, since it's not exactly widely celebrated in this corner of the earth. But this year, my parents are here. And of course, Isabel.

So I found my lone box of decorations buried underneath the pile of junk that I have in the basement (again, CAN'T wait till we have that all organized!) and did what I could. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. And one of the advantages of having my mom here? FOOD!

Mmmmm...Yee Sang...Haven't had that in a while!

An outfit was even acquired for my baby girl. Just for the record, I was not part of that group that went down to Chinatown for that. OK, I know that she's a big baby. But come on....

The hat looks better on Buddy.

Late Night Thoughts

Last night, during her 12am feed, I just stared at her cherubic face. I can't believe that she's mine. There are times when I'll look at her and...something...washes all over me, making it difficult for me to breathe. I have never thought that I'd be able to love someone so much. It's the most wonderful feeling and yet, sometimes, it hurts.

I can't believe that the little jumping jellybean from the ultrasound 8 months ago has resulted into her. That I'm actually holding her in my arms. I'm sure that there babies that are more beautiful (although I think she's pretty darn cute!), more perfect, etc than her, but she's mine. Mine, mine, mine. And I love every inch of her.

And there are times (plenty of times) when I'll wish that I can keep her this small, this young, forever. So I can shield her from all the evils of this world. To keep her this innocent for as long as possible, where her needs and wants are simple, unmarred. Right now, I'm her everything. But give it a few years, and she'll be pushing me away in search of freedom, taking her first steps of independence. And I cried.

I wish I could capture these times and put it into a safe place, where I can relive it over and over again, whenever I need it. Time travel, that's what I need. It's probably this realization, that it'll be over before I know it, that's making it easier for me to deal with the lack of sleep, the times where I can get absolutely nothing done in the house because she wants to be held in order for her to sleep in the day, the upheaval of our lives. Because really, that's what a baby does. It throws everything around. It makes one reevaluate what's truly necessary. It reprioritizes one's life. And there will be times (and there have been times) when I'll wonder "What on earth am I doing, thinking I can be a mother? I'm not even a kid person!" But then she'll smile, or grunt, or poop, or do something that will make me dust myself up, and vow that I'll just have to try harder, work harder, do better. Because she's worth it.

Royal Mail

A package arrived today, with "Royal Mail" stamped across it (Doesn't that have such a pleasant, eloquent ring to it? It almost makes me want to up and leave for the UK. And now, for some odd reason, I'm thinking of Paddington Bear and how he was found sitting on his suitcase at Paddington Station. I wish I was the one who found him....)

I'm digressing...where was I? Yes, the package. It wasn't for me. It was addressed to Isabel - the little darling is getting around the world...why, not two days ago, she received another piece of mail from Down Under, courtesy of 'Auntie' Sam and 'Uncle' David

"Look, Mommy...A package for ME"

"Oh me, oh my,whatever can it be?"she coos...(can you tell that she absolutely loves presents?)

It was a beautiful baby bottle from Godmother (#1) Jill! Thank you so much!!

And it's not any ol' ordinary bottle, mind you....unless you're one of those who typically gets your baby supplies from Burberry. Judging from her expression, it almost seems like she appreciates that distinction too....Oh dear...I have a feeling that she's going to have expensive taste!

Red Eggs and Ham?

Isabel's Full Moon Birthday is today (Chinese tradition - basically means that the baby is now 30 days old) and her Porpor (grandmother) made her some red eggs...she was fascinated by it.

January 10th 2009 - 30 days old

Mommy also got to finally have some soya bean milk! Woo hoo!

Unfortunately, that also means that I probably should start exercising to get my pre-pregnancy body back. Crap.

4 weeks post-partum - Jan 9th 2009

Milestone...

My darling girl gave a big smile and laugh today. Awww.......It was to my singing...She either loves it and it makes her happy, or she's laughing at me because I'm so bad...Whichever. I'll take it however I get it.

And she's 4 weeks old today. I can't believe it.

Happy 2009!

Where did the year fly by? I don't quite recollect what happened throughout the year, but I suppose that in hindsight, it's been quite eventful? There has been vast changes for both my husband and I, professionally and personally. Mostly for the better, I suppose.

Here's to hoping that 2009 will bring further success, happiness and contentment.

My resolutions:

1) Enjoy my baby for all that she is. Even though there will be times when she'll be a fusspot, and I'll feel like screaming and pulling all my hair off - in a blink of an eye, she'll be all grown up and I'll never have these days again where I'll be her whole world. And to be honest, I'm already dreading having to give her up to daycare in March, and crazily enough, I'm already tearing up at the thought of her getting married and starting a life of her own. And she's only 3 weeks and 1 day old. She's already outgrown 3 outfits, and her socks are all too small for her. So yes, cherish all these times that you have because it'll be gone before you know it.

2) Be as successful at work as I can possibly be. Because I want to be able to give the world to Isabel. I want to be able to bring her around the world - Paris, Rome, Egypt, Australia, Alaska, everywhere.

3) Love and cherish my husband and child.

4) Be supermom. =D

December 31st, 2008 - 19 days old

Gah...

I'm pissed. At myself. Apparently I've missed the window for newborn photographs to be taken of my kid. 2 weeks is the magic number for when the baby will suddenly turn into a fussy missy, and I suppose that she'll no longer be considered a newborn after that....

Booger.

And the worst thing is, if we actually had a boy, I doubt I'd be this annoyed at myself....whoops! Yes, I'm a bad mother. (but seriously, how many guys do you know who'd actually care about seeing baby pictures of himself? - unless he's trying to impress a girl by pretending to be sentimental, and no, I'm not going to encourage that)

Merry Christmas!

Our first Christmas at our house, and as a real family. And of course, John had to commemorate it by making me wear a ridiculous/gaudy sweater. The things one is willing to do when appearance isn't one of her top priorities anymore...

Merry Christmas, all!!

Christmas 2008

15 days old

Little Tricks Up Her Sleeve...

So, my daughter have been smiling since day 1, but I never did think that it was intentional...I mean, she smiles in her sleep when I sing to her, and there are times when she'll give little smirks as she toots her way through her diaper...But I always thought that they were flukes. However, this morning, when I went to her crib, she was already wide awake and cooing....She looked at me and I smiled. She quickly closed her eyes shut. So I said "Is someone pretending to be asleep?" Then she opened her eyes again and gave me a big smile.

I have a little prankster. And she makes my heart melt.

She's 13 days old today and she had her first dr's appointment. She's back to her birth weight, the little chunker, so that's good news for me as that means the feedings are working as they should. That makes all those sleepless nights and sore nips a little more worth it. I wouldn't say that it makes it ALL ok (hey, it sometimes hurt like a mother****** when she latches on half asleep...it makes me want to scream as loud as she does!), but it's close.

Oh, and I can officially fit into my fat jeans, buttoned up and all. Woo hoo!

I Can't Think of a Title, Therefore I'm Not Going To Bother...

Since our baby was taking her own sweet time arriving, my guests/caretakers have to find ways to amuse themselves to deal with anti-climax after the 8th has come and gone with absolutely nothing eventful happening...So, out with the cards and the cash!! (It's Monopoly money, but still!)

All they need are some cigars and some gin....or for a more appropriate "Chinese" mobster feel, cigarettes hanging out from the side of their mouths and one leg propped up on the chair....

I'm just so glad that I did not have to be induced....The pain was bad enough as it is. But as they all say, it was well worth it....I think!

New daddy

Our new family

Such a big girl!!

3 days old

December 14th 2008

One week old and full of smiles

Stats:

Isabel Clarissa
Born 12/12/08 at 9.40pm EST
Weight: 8 lbs 4.5 oz
Length: 21.5"

She was a big, BIG surprise, as we were expecting a 6lb boy! Matter of fact, when they announced that "It's a Girl!!" I was like, "What???" and immediately looked down at her for confirmation....

We definitely got our surprise.

I never knew that I can love someone so much (regardless of the sleepless nights, the poopy diapers and her very very VERY prominent wail...wonder who she got that from?)

But she's my little angel/PITA and I love her more that I can even comprehend.

Our Big Surprise...

40 weeks and 3 days...

STILL pregnant =S

Week 40

What's happening underneath that bump?

The last week...or is it?! The average sized newborn is 7 1/2 lbs and 20" long. At this point, most of the vernix is gone, 15% of the body is fat and the chest sticks out.

Although you aren't considered post due until you reach 42 weeks of pregnancy, if your doctor feels that you have gone long enough in the pregnancy , he or she may induce labor

No baby yet...although I suppose that considering the fact that only 2% of babies are born on their due date, along with the fact that we are not entirely sure when the conception date was (the original date was estimated to be 2 weeks after this, until the ultrasound proved otherwise), it shouldn't be surprising.

And now that I've pretty much calmed down (as oppose to thinking that every twitch and pain is a sign to signal the troops), I'm going to use this time to finish up stuff on my to-do list that was pushed aside (basically, the "C" items) Today's going to be productive. Well, if I don't konk out by 3pm....I woke up at 4am and could not fall back asleep. And it's way too early to start on my list as the whole household is still sleeping. Booger.

But regardless, he/she will be here by next week, as the Dr will be inducing if nothing happens naturally. I have a biophysical profile scheduled for baby this Wednesday, to see if he/she is still happy (well, you'd think that he/she should be smart enough to come out if he/she don't like it anymore!). Here's to hoping that things progress along naturally and soon.

(Any doubts that this baby is "Malaysian"??! Lateness apparently is built into his/her genes)

Week 38 and some House Updates

What's happening underneath that bump?

The baby is now nearing 7lbs in weight and is less than 20" long - he/she may be gaining an ounce a day now as fat for life outside your uterus. His/her intestines are accumulating lots of meconium and the creamy, white coating called vernix that formed to protect your baby's skin from fluid is now disappearing. The lanugo downy hair that also protects the skin is also going away as your baby prepares to be born. The circumference of the head and the baby's abdomen are about the same.

Well....apparently I have a few silent readers here! *waves hello* I guess that's good to know that I have the ability to lure a few unsuspecting victims in! Or wait....do you guys use it to lull yourself to a state of drowsiness so you can have a good night's sleep??! ?Hmmmmmm......

The past couple of weeks have been filled with never ending "little" projects to prepare the house for our guests. And most of the tasks are smelly. So poor John has to do most of them, as baby really protests when I inhale the scent. Such a little brat!

The bathtub was reglazed, the bathroom floor "redone" (taking that word in lightly.....I doubt that HGTV would approve), and the floors for the whole downstairs was recoated with a protective layer (we have hardwood floors and we basically just resealed it). Sounds simple enough, but not when you realized that you have to move ALL the furniture out of the way first. Whoever said that a pregnant woman is unable to do much have obviously never met me. Although, again, I have to say that kiddo was not happy with all the lifting going on. Tough. He/she will have to learn that life's not going to be all about him/her sooner or later.

I just realized that I've never shown any pictures of the house....And figured that I might as well, as we've worked our butts off to have it ready....and additionally, our house will probably never be this clean again for the next year...or is it the next 10?