Okay Nate still has no teeth!! Every time we think he is teething he isn't. But two days ago he had his first fever and I believe it was related to teething. I had to take his first rectal temperature because I read that this was the most accurate was to get a reading. And he was just shy of 101. But good old Nate wasn't too fussy and smiled during the fever and thank goodness it went away and he was back to normal the next day. Still no teeth.
Nate can stand now, but he doesn't know it yet. He still holds onto furniture and will not let go of his support. Our newest game is me holding him up while he is standing and letting him go. Sometimes he stands, most times he sits or falls and I catch him. This cracks him up and he laughs hysterically.
Nate is doing this think where is babbles and says da da, ba ba and ma ma. He doesn't babble much unless he is crying. It is so darn cute sometimes I just watch him cry to hear him babble then I snap out of it and console him.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Grunts
Nate is now a grunter. He will just grunt out of the blue. Sometimes it is because he is going number 2 and then his face will get really really red and strained. Sometimes he will grunt for no reason and have a frown on his face.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
crusing
Nate is an official cruiser. I never thought he would crawl and now he is grabbing furniture and able to move about. I wonder when he will be standing on his own. When Nate gets excited about crawling somewhere he lets out a squeal, so then I know to watch him because he is about to take off with great speeds.
Nate eats anything we give him from congee to yams. He is so alert and observant. He knows if things have fallen under something and looks for it. Also he knows that if something is taken away from him that it is still there and will go and find it. He is starting to open drawers and doors now so you really have to watch him.
Nate eats anything we give him from congee to yams. He is so alert and observant. He knows if things have fallen under something and looks for it. Also he knows that if something is taken away from him that it is still there and will go and find it. He is starting to open drawers and doors now so you really have to watch him.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Bonafide Crawler
Nate is a bonafide crawler as of today. He can crawl with determination and purpose now. I'm so proud of him. 7 months and crawling.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
7 and 1/2 months
Nate is very aware of his surroundings, he knows when something is one the ground and looks at it if it falls. Also he will notice new things around him and try to pick them up or go for them. He is very interested in the laptop and I think may be a computer nerd when he grows up.
Crawling isn't the easiest thing for him but he is working on it. He does this thing where he crawls and then puts his head down for balance and support and then pushes up on his head. He'll crawl maybe 1/2 foot to a foot and then give up. I don't know if he'll every master it. Nate seems to want to walk and stand more than crawl he will pull himself up on anything he can get his hands on.
Eating is a fun time with Nate he will open up for anything. He is eating puffs now and trying to feed himself. We went out with Chris and Mimi for dinner and when we all bowed our heads for prayer he ate a sweet and low wrapper. When we finished praying he had a gagging look on his face, Brent and I noticed a pink little paper balled up in the roof of his mouth. Lesson learned: pray with one eye open.
Crawling isn't the easiest thing for him but he is working on it. He does this thing where he crawls and then puts his head down for balance and support and then pushes up on his head. He'll crawl maybe 1/2 foot to a foot and then give up. I don't know if he'll every master it. Nate seems to want to walk and stand more than crawl he will pull himself up on anything he can get his hands on.
Eating is a fun time with Nate he will open up for anything. He is eating puffs now and trying to feed himself. We went out with Chris and Mimi for dinner and when we all bowed our heads for prayer he ate a sweet and low wrapper. When we finished praying he had a gagging look on his face, Brent and I noticed a pink little paper balled up in the roof of his mouth. Lesson learned: pray with one eye open.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
almost 7 months
Today marks the first day dad and I are alone with Nate. Mom and Dad have gone home for a month or so and now we are solo. Feels like we are playing house. Aunt Zee and Gammy were down for the last couple of weeks helping us so now we have no one. A couple ladies from Church are going to offer to help us with Nate a couple of days.
He has really become aware of his surroundings. He knows what someone has left the room and looks out for them to come back. When you hid his view of something he knows to move his head around to clear his view. Nate loves to dance and when he hears music you can see his feat and body move to the music. If he doens't like something he will swat it away. I am amazing that he is more like a little boy rather than a baby. If he wants something he will go after it whre as before he lost interest in it.
He switches moods very easily. If he is happy he can cry immediately if he wants something. We thought he was teething this month but no teeth yet. He still chews constantly and so we bought him a Sophie teething giraffe which I think he really likes.
Nate is attracted to technology. He loves slapping at the laptop and grabbing cell phones. Right now is trying to pull the plug out of the laptop. He also has a remote control that we let him play with.
We have introduced the sippy cup and he isn't too bad with it. He trys to hold it by himself. He has stopped taking the bottle and only drinks from the cup or breast feeds. If you let him he'll eat way too much.
As for sleeping he is still in our bed and waking up every 2-3 hours. We just don't have the heart to let him cry it out. We tried it one night and he was hot, sweaty, out of breath and shaking, only after 30 minutes.
Just last week he pulled himself up to standing in his crib. We have to lower his crib now because he could pull himself out and tumble out of it. The next step is crawling. He can sit and reach forward but hasn't figured out how to get from sitting onto all fours.
He has really become aware of his surroundings. He knows what someone has left the room and looks out for them to come back. When you hid his view of something he knows to move his head around to clear his view. Nate loves to dance and when he hears music you can see his feat and body move to the music. If he doens't like something he will swat it away. I am amazing that he is more like a little boy rather than a baby. If he wants something he will go after it whre as before he lost interest in it.
He switches moods very easily. If he is happy he can cry immediately if he wants something. We thought he was teething this month but no teeth yet. He still chews constantly and so we bought him a Sophie teething giraffe which I think he really likes.
Nate is attracted to technology. He loves slapping at the laptop and grabbing cell phones. Right now is trying to pull the plug out of the laptop. He also has a remote control that we let him play with.
We have introduced the sippy cup and he isn't too bad with it. He trys to hold it by himself. He has stopped taking the bottle and only drinks from the cup or breast feeds. If you let him he'll eat way too much.
As for sleeping he is still in our bed and waking up every 2-3 hours. We just don't have the heart to let him cry it out. We tried it one night and he was hot, sweaty, out of breath and shaking, only after 30 minutes.
Just last week he pulled himself up to standing in his crib. We have to lower his crib now because he could pull himself out and tumble out of it. The next step is crawling. He can sit and reach forward but hasn't figured out how to get from sitting onto all fours.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Almost 6 months
Nate will be 6 months next week. I cannot believe how much he has done in the last two weeks. He can now sit on his own without falling. So much for needed the Bumpo. He went from not tripod to sitting in 2 weeks.
Eating: Nate is now eating oatmeal cereal, rice cereal, sweet potato, bananas and avocados. He is a champion eater and doesn't ever fuss when we try to feed him. He is fascinated by food and loves to watch you eat. He is good at grabbing the spoon and trying to eat it.
Dada likes Nate's mono toned singing. Nate will just let out a AAAAAAAHHHHHHH and it is loud, long and drawn out. I think he just likes to hear himself talk.
Nate still only rolls over onto his stomach and cannot roll the other way. I'm not worried I think it's just what he does.
He weights about 20lbs now and we'll officially find out what he is next week.
I cannot believe he is almost 6 months now. He is so fun and such a great baby.
Eating: Nate is now eating oatmeal cereal, rice cereal, sweet potato, bananas and avocados. He is a champion eater and doesn't ever fuss when we try to feed him. He is fascinated by food and loves to watch you eat. He is good at grabbing the spoon and trying to eat it.
Dada likes Nate's mono toned singing. Nate will just let out a AAAAAAAHHHHHHH and it is loud, long and drawn out. I think he just likes to hear himself talk.
Nate still only rolls over onto his stomach and cannot roll the other way. I'm not worried I think it's just what he does.
He weights about 20lbs now and we'll officially find out what he is next week.
I cannot believe he is almost 6 months now. He is so fun and such a great baby.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
the end of 4 months
In 4 days Nate will be 5 months old.
In the last month he has learned to roll from his back to his front but cannot roll the other way yet. He also has grown accustomed to sleeping on his side and has skipped ( i type with crossed and hopeful fingers) his 2-3 am feedings. His last one is at midnight and then he wakes up at 4 for another.
We tried the Ferber method and we didn't stick with it and didn't have the heart to be consistent with it. I realize that Nate will only be this time once in his life and Brent and I want to remember it and cherish these moments. So he is back in bed with us and I'm loving it.
Last week on Memorial Day we went to Kirk and Joyce's and put Nate in the swimming pool for the first time. I think he didn't realize he was in the pool. He was indifferent but didn't hate it. He ended up falling asleep with Dad for a bit.
Sitting... Nate is tripod sitting now. Similar to tummy time he does not tolerate it for long and fusses when he gets tired. But he's not to bad at it and doesn't tip too much to one side.
Standing.. Nate can stand against the futon for a little while unsupported.
Weight.. i think he's over 20lbs now.
Hearing.. Nate has really picked up on tuning into noises. He will turn his head towards Po Po's slippers when she walks into and out of a room. When a firetruck passed by he stopped and listened. When dad was mowing the lawn he turns to the windows to get a better listen.
Dogs... Nate now sees the dogs. When they walk by he tracks them and when you place him infront of the dogs he reaches out and tries to pet them.
In the last month he has learned to roll from his back to his front but cannot roll the other way yet. He also has grown accustomed to sleeping on his side and has skipped ( i type with crossed and hopeful fingers) his 2-3 am feedings. His last one is at midnight and then he wakes up at 4 for another.
We tried the Ferber method and we didn't stick with it and didn't have the heart to be consistent with it. I realize that Nate will only be this time once in his life and Brent and I want to remember it and cherish these moments. So he is back in bed with us and I'm loving it.
Last week on Memorial Day we went to Kirk and Joyce's and put Nate in the swimming pool for the first time. I think he didn't realize he was in the pool. He was indifferent but didn't hate it. He ended up falling asleep with Dad for a bit.
Sitting... Nate is tripod sitting now. Similar to tummy time he does not tolerate it for long and fusses when he gets tired. But he's not to bad at it and doesn't tip too much to one side.
Standing.. Nate can stand against the futon for a little while unsupported.
Weight.. i think he's over 20lbs now.
Hearing.. Nate has really picked up on tuning into noises. He will turn his head towards Po Po's slippers when she walks into and out of a room. When a firetruck passed by he stopped and listened. When dad was mowing the lawn he turns to the windows to get a better listen.
Dogs... Nate now sees the dogs. When they walk by he tracks them and when you place him infront of the dogs he reaches out and tries to pet them.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
15 weeks
Nate's routine is very similar to what it was the last time I wrote. But alas he doesn't sleep for 5-6 hour stretches. I think it is because he is getting too big for his bassinet. Perhaps it is because he is able to kick the sides of the bassinet and wake himself up. He is waking every 2-3 hours instead but able to get back to sleep after a short feeding.
Nate is getting better at falling asleep on his own. I try to put him down while he is still awake and still fidgeting and he is able to fall asleep usually on his own. It doesn't take him long only 10-15 minutes of nursing and then he is ready for sleep.
He continues to love bath time. He immediately gets a smile on his face when you put him in the bath. I can't wait to get him into swimming.
Now when you put Nate on his tummy he knows to bring his arms up from his side and prop himself up on them. He is more tolerable of being on his tummy and now does not cry immediately when he is given tummy time.
Nate seems to be able to see farther, we think this because if he is on the couch or swing he is looking at the tv if it is on. Nate also able to distinguish faces.. we think. When someone comes up to him that he recognizes he smiles, so he does this to Daddy, Mommy and Grandma. Nate does just smile or laugh he giggles now. Much like a string of giggles which he usually does when you tickle his tummy.
Nate has really gotten to sucking his hand and index finger. He always has one or the other in his mouth. At first we thought he was hungry but realized he had discovered this new soothing mechanism. He can get his entire hand in his mouth and loves it. Nate also has started to reach for things and hit toys handing in front of him. He kicks his legs wildly and they hit wildly against the crib posts - I'm surprised that it doesn't hurt him. Nate can spread his legs wide apart in a V and he can bring them perpendicular to his waist. It won't be long until he can bring his legs into his mouth.
I think he is about 17lbs now and he wearing 6-9 month size and is getting too big for his size 2 diapers. we just bought some size threes.
Po Pos favourite saying is Dai Nang Ding Dong.. it means (roughly) big bright eyes. Others that we have are Zhang Fei Jai and Dai Toe Fut (big belly buddah).
Nate is getting better at falling asleep on his own. I try to put him down while he is still awake and still fidgeting and he is able to fall asleep usually on his own. It doesn't take him long only 10-15 minutes of nursing and then he is ready for sleep.
He continues to love bath time. He immediately gets a smile on his face when you put him in the bath. I can't wait to get him into swimming.
Now when you put Nate on his tummy he knows to bring his arms up from his side and prop himself up on them. He is more tolerable of being on his tummy and now does not cry immediately when he is given tummy time.
Nate seems to be able to see farther, we think this because if he is on the couch or swing he is looking at the tv if it is on. Nate also able to distinguish faces.. we think. When someone comes up to him that he recognizes he smiles, so he does this to Daddy, Mommy and Grandma. Nate does just smile or laugh he giggles now. Much like a string of giggles which he usually does when you tickle his tummy.
Nate has really gotten to sucking his hand and index finger. He always has one or the other in his mouth. At first we thought he was hungry but realized he had discovered this new soothing mechanism. He can get his entire hand in his mouth and loves it. Nate also has started to reach for things and hit toys handing in front of him. He kicks his legs wildly and they hit wildly against the crib posts - I'm surprised that it doesn't hurt him. Nate can spread his legs wide apart in a V and he can bring them perpendicular to his waist. It won't be long until he can bring his legs into his mouth.
I think he is about 17lbs now and he wearing 6-9 month size and is getting too big for his size 2 diapers. we just bought some size threes.
Po Pos favourite saying is Dai Nang Ding Dong.. it means (roughly) big bright eyes. Others that we have are Zhang Fei Jai and Dai Toe Fut (big belly buddah).
Saturday, April 10, 2010
3 months... almost
Well Nate will be 3 months old in two days. I am have now been back to work for a week now and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I do miss him during the day.
Our current routine is..
Up at 7-8 am (say goodbye to Mommy)
Bottle fed at 9am
Walk with Grandma
Feeds 4 ounces every three hours
Bath time 7:30
Breast Fed with me at 8pm
Asleep by 9pm
Up after 5-6 hours
Up again after 3 hours
So far so good, the good news is that Nate goes down for the night fairly easily and he has gotten used to his bedtime routine. He is still sleeping in our room so long as he needs his overnight feeding.
Nate's tummy time is getting better. He doesn't protest too much when you put him on his tummy. He used to get upset right off the bat, but now will tolerate it for a minute or so. He is also able to lift his head 90 degrees and hold it there for at least 10 seconds. It is tiring on him but he is getting progressively stronger.
He is all smiles in the morning and still loves his mobile. We have three different bouncy seats and the one he likes the most is the one that Rhonda gave us. Go figure, there is a nice new one and Nate doesn't care much for it. He likes the one that Rhonda gave us because it has toys that he can see better and reach.
Nate hasn't fully opened up his hands yet. He can grab things very tightly if you put them in his hand but he hasn't yet been able to reach and grab things on his own. He did roll over once from belly to back this week. Grandma and Grandpa saw it but I didn't.
He is also not as chunky as before because he is lengthening out some this week.
Our current routine is..
Up at 7-8 am (say goodbye to Mommy)
Bottle fed at 9am
Walk with Grandma
Feeds 4 ounces every three hours
Bath time 7:30
Breast Fed with me at 8pm
Asleep by 9pm
Up after 5-6 hours
Up again after 3 hours
So far so good, the good news is that Nate goes down for the night fairly easily and he has gotten used to his bedtime routine. He is still sleeping in our room so long as he needs his overnight feeding.
Nate's tummy time is getting better. He doesn't protest too much when you put him on his tummy. He used to get upset right off the bat, but now will tolerate it for a minute or so. He is also able to lift his head 90 degrees and hold it there for at least 10 seconds. It is tiring on him but he is getting progressively stronger.
He is all smiles in the morning and still loves his mobile. We have three different bouncy seats and the one he likes the most is the one that Rhonda gave us. Go figure, there is a nice new one and Nate doesn't care much for it. He likes the one that Rhonda gave us because it has toys that he can see better and reach.
Nate hasn't fully opened up his hands yet. He can grab things very tightly if you put them in his hand but he hasn't yet been able to reach and grab things on his own. He did roll over once from belly to back this week. Grandma and Grandpa saw it but I didn't.
He is also not as chunky as before because he is lengthening out some this week.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Week 10
Nate is doing the following now.
He is tracking faces and voices very easily.
Makes great eye contact.
Recognizes mom and dad.
Sleeps a lot less during the day, no longer does he have 2 hour naps twice a day. Only 2 naps for 1/2 each.
He has bath time at 8pm ish and then nurses and goes to bed around 9pm. He still needs a nursing before bed time and sleeps for 4-6 hours first then 2-3 hours until 6am.
Have started bottle feeding, Nate has no problem taking the bottle from anyone. I will not feed him myself. Don't want to get my feelings hurt. Eating every 2-3 hours, 4 ounces each time.
Nate is able to hold on to things now, but I don't think he is doing it consciously.
He still does not like tummy time, we put him on his tummy 2 or 3 times a day for 2 to 4 mintues. He can lift his head almost 90 degrees with a little blanket under his belly.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
95% Head of the Class
We took Nate to his 2 month check up and he weighted in at 14lbs and 23 inches long. Appartenly he is big baby and in the 95% for his weight. Gulp, have I been feeding him too much? Now I'm a little paranoid about feeding him too much and too often. Oh well I'm not going to get to hung up over it I'm sure if it was a problem the pediatrician would have told me so.
Hope this isn't the last 95% score Nate gets.
Hope this isn't the last 95% score Nate gets.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Week 7
Last time I mentioned that he was being fussy. But that has seemed to pass. After mom left that first weekend was very tough but now we have settled into a routine. Nate is really good a taking naps. If he doesn't he is very fussy in the evenings so I make sure he goes down. He's right now finishing up two hours of his mid day nap.
We we out last weekend with friends who also have a 7 month old. We ate at Dolce Vita an upscale pizzeria. I was kind of scared because this was the first dinner we had taken Nate out to. Of course he cried for the most part and refused to breast feed. We will have to work on that. But the good news was that it turned out to be kid friendly and all the tables around us had children. Also it was a loud patio so I'm not sure how many people heard.
Nate has really started to show some personality now. He loves getting his diaper changed, I guess I would too if it was always wet. He is doing what we call "butt explosion" which happens earlier in the morning. The good news is that usually is his one time big mess.
Nate loves his animal mobile. He loves to look up and listen and watch the animals spin around. He intently looks up at it and immediately breaks into a huge toothless smile. I love how he moves his arms and kicks his legs with excitement. He looks likes he wants to go somewhere but can't because he is on his back.
So far, Nate is growing like a weed. He's about 13 pounds according to our scale and is wearing 3-6 months sizes. Brent is amazed at the size of his belly. It is very big but very soft too. I love giving it kisses and Nate likes that too. He is also cooing and goo-gooing more. The mornings are the best time to get this out of him, he seems to be trying to say something to us - we just don't know what.
We we out last weekend with friends who also have a 7 month old. We ate at Dolce Vita an upscale pizzeria. I was kind of scared because this was the first dinner we had taken Nate out to. Of course he cried for the most part and refused to breast feed. We will have to work on that. But the good news was that it turned out to be kid friendly and all the tables around us had children. Also it was a loud patio so I'm not sure how many people heard.
Nate has really started to show some personality now. He loves getting his diaper changed, I guess I would too if it was always wet. He is doing what we call "butt explosion" which happens earlier in the morning. The good news is that usually is his one time big mess.
Nate loves his animal mobile. He loves to look up and listen and watch the animals spin around. He intently looks up at it and immediately breaks into a huge toothless smile. I love how he moves his arms and kicks his legs with excitement. He looks likes he wants to go somewhere but can't because he is on his back.
So far, Nate is growing like a weed. He's about 13 pounds according to our scale and is wearing 3-6 months sizes. Brent is amazed at the size of his belly. It is very big but very soft too. I love giving it kisses and Nate likes that too. He is also cooing and goo-gooing more. The mornings are the best time to get this out of him, he seems to be trying to say something to us - we just don't know what.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
6 week milestone
Well it's Feb 24th. Nate has hit his 6 week mark and what a difference a week makes. He was super fussy during week 5 and we were told that this "wonder week" would be tough. He would go through periods of intense crying from 7 to 10 at night and refused to be put down. The only way we could console him was to wait it out until it was late enough that he would fall asleep. What a week.
So far this week he has faired better. He practices lifting his head and when he's on his tummy he can lift his head and turn it from one side to the other. The cutest thing is that he is starting to gurgle and coo. It is almost as if he is talking to us, we'll say something and then he'll coo something back to us.
His smiles are the best, he really is responding to our facial gestures. If you smile or talk to him he will smile right back at you. It melts my heart everytime he does that. He's a great smiler.
He also has super strong legs. He really likes to push up on you when you hold him. I guess he'll need them becuase he is gaining weight very quickly. I bet he's already 12 pounds. He no longer fits the newborn clothes which is supposed to go up to 9 lbs. There were some outfits that he didn't even get to wear he grew so quickly. We like to keep him in sleep and play one piece outfits, they are the easiest to put on and off.
Nate's day to day routine is wake up - feed - stay awake for an hour or so then take a nap at 11 ish for 1 or 2 hours. Then he goes down for a early evening nap for 2 hours. We'll put him down at 11pm or earlier and he's out until 3 or 4 am. So I'm getting a little bit of sleep with this routine. I wonder how much it'll change week to week.
So far this week he has faired better. He practices lifting his head and when he's on his tummy he can lift his head and turn it from one side to the other. The cutest thing is that he is starting to gurgle and coo. It is almost as if he is talking to us, we'll say something and then he'll coo something back to us.
His smiles are the best, he really is responding to our facial gestures. If you smile or talk to him he will smile right back at you. It melts my heart everytime he does that. He's a great smiler.
He also has super strong legs. He really likes to push up on you when you hold him. I guess he'll need them becuase he is gaining weight very quickly. I bet he's already 12 pounds. He no longer fits the newborn clothes which is supposed to go up to 9 lbs. There were some outfits that he didn't even get to wear he grew so quickly. We like to keep him in sleep and play one piece outfits, they are the easiest to put on and off.
Nate's day to day routine is wake up - feed - stay awake for an hour or so then take a nap at 11 ish for 1 or 2 hours. Then he goes down for a early evening nap for 2 hours. We'll put him down at 11pm or earlier and he's out until 3 or 4 am. So I'm getting a little bit of sleep with this routine. I wonder how much it'll change week to week.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Milk Factory
Wow I thought breastfeeding would be a beautiful thing. I mean for the most part it is, don't get me wrong. I get to spend one on one time with my son. Connecting and bonding on a level that is special to one the two of us(not to mention the money we save on formula, accelerated weight loss for Mom and reaping the rewards of natural immunity for Nate). It's altogheter amazing and a cherished moment except for the hours of 12am, 3am and 6am. And all those hours in between them.
Overall, Nate has latched on and learned how to nurse very effectively. He's pretty much a 3 hour feeder but has a very good habit of nursing on one side then falling asleep. I've tried to wake him up and do the other but sometimes he's too much into a deep sleep. Barabara (the lactation consultant) says that that's okay so long that he feeds a min of 3 times during a 24 hour period. If Nate falls alseep then he'll be up in 1-2 hours hungry again.
The cries of hunger are very different from the cries of uncomfortableness from a dirty or a wet diaper. The hunger cry is short and sounds like a car engine trying to turn over. If you make Nate wait to long for food then the car engine turns into a desperate wailing like a fire truck trying to rush to get to a fire.
Nate has come a long way, and I guess I have too. In the early days of breastfeeding if Nate was already upset and crying then he'd have a heck of a time latching on and calming down to nurse. Now three weeks later he has no problem locking in and nursing even in the middle of a fit. He knows what to look for and how to get it.
The only time Nate didn't want my brest milk was during the first week he was home. I was being selfish and wanted sushi. I hadn't had it in 9 months so it was first on my list of must haves, right ahead of coffee, wine and beer. I remember that night was the worst feeding nights we ever had. Nate just hated the breast milk and got fussier and fussier everytime we tried to nurse. He would take a drink and then cry his eyes out and nothing would calm him down. It think finally he broke down and nursed but he wasn't a big fan.
Today at 23 days old, I decided to no have my morning cup of coffee. I had read that you could have one cup a day and it would have a mild effect on the baby. But lately I had been having a larger cup each day and Nate wasn't so easy to soothe. He'd fuse and cry if he was in your arms and then really wail if you tried to put him down. So I experimented and cut out the morning coffee and afernoon tea. Today was day one of the experiement and Nate was a lot easier to handle. He slept better and longer on his own and didn't mind as much being put down. We'll sse how tomorow goes. It's bitter sweet becuase I want a calm baby but I also want my coffee. Oh well, decaf here I may come again.. sigh.
Overall, Nate has latched on and learned how to nurse very effectively. He's pretty much a 3 hour feeder but has a very good habit of nursing on one side then falling asleep. I've tried to wake him up and do the other but sometimes he's too much into a deep sleep. Barabara (the lactation consultant) says that that's okay so long that he feeds a min of 3 times during a 24 hour period. If Nate falls alseep then he'll be up in 1-2 hours hungry again.
The cries of hunger are very different from the cries of uncomfortableness from a dirty or a wet diaper. The hunger cry is short and sounds like a car engine trying to turn over. If you make Nate wait to long for food then the car engine turns into a desperate wailing like a fire truck trying to rush to get to a fire.
Nate has come a long way, and I guess I have too. In the early days of breastfeeding if Nate was already upset and crying then he'd have a heck of a time latching on and calming down to nurse. Now three weeks later he has no problem locking in and nursing even in the middle of a fit. He knows what to look for and how to get it.
The only time Nate didn't want my brest milk was during the first week he was home. I was being selfish and wanted sushi. I hadn't had it in 9 months so it was first on my list of must haves, right ahead of coffee, wine and beer. I remember that night was the worst feeding nights we ever had. Nate just hated the breast milk and got fussier and fussier everytime we tried to nurse. He would take a drink and then cry his eyes out and nothing would calm him down. It think finally he broke down and nursed but he wasn't a big fan.
Today at 23 days old, I decided to no have my morning cup of coffee. I had read that you could have one cup a day and it would have a mild effect on the baby. But lately I had been having a larger cup each day and Nate wasn't so easy to soothe. He'd fuse and cry if he was in your arms and then really wail if you tried to put him down. So I experimented and cut out the morning coffee and afernoon tea. Today was day one of the experiement and Nate was a lot easier to handle. He slept better and longer on his own and didn't mind as much being put down. We'll sse how tomorow goes. It's bitter sweet becuase I want a calm baby but I also want my coffee. Oh well, decaf here I may come again.. sigh.
Skin to Skin
I tried the skin to skin or kangaroo hold with Nate today. All the readings tell me that it is very soothing for the baby and will increase our bond. So I tried it after our afternoon feeding and it did help to soothe him. Wow? I guess we'll have to try this everyday.
Am wearing Nate right now in our wrap. At first he protested. He doesn't like having his head in the sling I think it's very uncomfortable for him, each time I try to slip it into the wrap he cries, so I let him leave it out. But now I have to hold his head if I am moving.
Am wearing Nate right now in our wrap. At first he protested. He doesn't like having his head in the sling I think it's very uncomfortable for him, each time I try to slip it into the wrap he cries, so I let him leave it out. But now I have to hold his head if I am moving.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Homecoming..... or not
Well bringing Nate home didn't go as planned. Dr. Chelu told us the previous day that we could be discharged Wednesday Morning after the pediatrician came by to release the baby.
January 13th, 2010 9am.
Dr. Finnila came in to check on Nate and unfortunately he had higher levels of Billirubin 11 and we tested positive for Coombs. Nate is A+ and I am O+. Since our blood types conflicted, he was Asian and his billirubin levels were high she suggested that as a precaution we stay the day until 4pm (his next billi test time) and "cook" him under the phototherapy lights. Then this would combat the Jaundice and help us avoid possibly coming back to the hospital for further treatment.
10 am to 3:30 pm
Nate baked under the phototherapy lights all day. It was sad to see him in there because we couldn't hold him except to change his diapers and to feed him. The rest of the time he had to lie in the tube on his back with foam sun googles on and nothing but his diaper. If it wasn't for the glasses he loved it in there. It was a toasty 33 Celsius in the tube and he looked liked he was one the beach.
I was a worry wart because the doctor told me that the two most important things to combat the Jaundice was 1. the light therapy and 2. Ensuring that Nate was feeding sufficiently. The feeding would create bowel movements that would get rid of the billi. So this made me really tense since the phototherapy lights would make Nate very tired and thus more difficult to get to eat.
The lactation consultant came and offered a great suggestion, pump and supplement with the breast milk. She showed me how to hand pump and then syringe to ensure that Nate was getting enough to eat. I unfortunately had to supplement first with formula. I only gave Nate one syringe before I had expressed enough to give him my milk.
So the day was spent watching Nate cook under the lights and then feeding and changing him. We could not wait until 4pm for them to take his last billi test. When the time finally came they forgot to come get him and we had to remind the staff at 4:45.
We had hoped that the results would come back in 45 minutes and then I could be released. We started packing our bags and loading up the car. Mom had come in at 4pm to join us for the trip home. 6pm came and went and so did 7pm. We were getting hungry and irritated since it was 2 hours past the time we thought we'd be released. Finally mom got irritated enough to ask them what the hold up was. It turned out that one of the nurses forgot to run a test on me and now that it was afterhours the lab was working more slowly. They apparently had to run an Hep B test on me since we declined giving Nate the Heb B vaccine at the time of birth.
Secretly we think the Delores, one of the nurses, sabotaged us and forgot to do this test. Brent had run over her foot earlier in the day with a chair and this may have been her way to get back at us.
It wasn't until 10:30 that we finally got to leave the hospital. So much for a glorious homecoming. Poor Zee, she was at home waiting for us, we were super hungry and when we got home it was so late we were so disorganized.
Monday, January 11, 2010
4:03 pm
When the doctor came in I couldn't believe it was really time to push. I remembering questioning the team really asking if now was the time? The baby would be here soon and our lives would completely change. We had waited for nine months for this moment, gone through excruxiation pain and now was the time for pushing. I think I wanted to hear music or angels singing or something, but none of that happened.
Brent was beside me helping me hold my legs up and I was supposed to push with each contraction. Now the epidural had kicked in becuase I could barely feel the contractions. It was a weird feeling becuase now the team was asking me when to push. I would tell them that a contraction was coming and they would look up on the monitor and confirm, I think I'd know better than them.
The first couple pushes I didnt' feel like I was doing anything. I don't think I was pushing correctly either becuase Dr. Chelu kept telling me that I had to hold my breath like I was swimming under water. Also she said that we had to get the baby out fast becuase of my bleeding and the lowered heart rate. If the baby didn't come out naturally they were going to use the vaccumm. When I heard that my initial reaction was, "like hell you will". Do people actually still use those things?
It was time to push again - count to 10 and push for three rounds, was the dance we did. For the first two rounds Brent was right there beside me. But then I guess he caught a glimpse of the blood and started to get woozy. All I heard from the nurses was "you may want to sit down", "there are a lot of sharp corners that'll break your head open" and "are you feeling alright".
The last two pushes Brent wasn't beside me, I dind't care. I knew I could get throught this pushing act myself. But to his credit from his little bench in the corner he was counting with the rest of the team to ten. Only two more rounds of pusing and the baby was here. I remember the feeling of him coming out one big movement and he was here in this world. He didn't cry or anything but he looked big. The first think I saw were his legs, butt and then scrotum- yup he was a he.
They quickly let me hold him and the first thing I thought was "eww he's really slimey" then after a quick minute of saying hi he was wisked away and cleaned up. Brent was quickly in the other room with the clea up team taking pictures and chatting it up and asking lots of questions. We have good photos and footage of that. That was when I realized that it was no longer about me it was all about the baby.
The time it took them to clean up the baby seemed like an eternity I so wanted to hold him again and get to know him. But he finally made it back to me and he was mine. He was so cute and alert I couldn't believe it. Brown eyes, lots of black hair, cute little fingers and a scrunched up face. The pushing was only 20 mintues and it went by very quickly. I can't believe my pregnancy was over and our family was finally here.
Brent was beside me helping me hold my legs up and I was supposed to push with each contraction. Now the epidural had kicked in becuase I could barely feel the contractions. It was a weird feeling becuase now the team was asking me when to push. I would tell them that a contraction was coming and they would look up on the monitor and confirm, I think I'd know better than them.
The first couple pushes I didnt' feel like I was doing anything. I don't think I was pushing correctly either becuase Dr. Chelu kept telling me that I had to hold my breath like I was swimming under water. Also she said that we had to get the baby out fast becuase of my bleeding and the lowered heart rate. If the baby didn't come out naturally they were going to use the vaccumm. When I heard that my initial reaction was, "like hell you will". Do people actually still use those things?
It was time to push again - count to 10 and push for three rounds, was the dance we did. For the first two rounds Brent was right there beside me. But then I guess he caught a glimpse of the blood and started to get woozy. All I heard from the nurses was "you may want to sit down", "there are a lot of sharp corners that'll break your head open" and "are you feeling alright".
The last two pushes Brent wasn't beside me, I dind't care. I knew I could get throught this pushing act myself. But to his credit from his little bench in the corner he was counting with the rest of the team to ten. Only two more rounds of pusing and the baby was here. I remember the feeling of him coming out one big movement and he was here in this world. He didn't cry or anything but he looked big. The first think I saw were his legs, butt and then scrotum- yup he was a he.
They quickly let me hold him and the first thing I thought was "eww he's really slimey" then after a quick minute of saying hi he was wisked away and cleaned up. Brent was quickly in the other room with the clea up team taking pictures and chatting it up and asking lots of questions. We have good photos and footage of that. That was when I realized that it was no longer about me it was all about the baby.
The time it took them to clean up the baby seemed like an eternity I so wanted to hold him again and get to know him. But he finally made it back to me and he was mine. He was so cute and alert I couldn't believe it. Brown eyes, lots of black hair, cute little fingers and a scrunched up face. The pushing was only 20 mintues and it went by very quickly. I can't believe my pregnancy was over and our family was finally here.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Waiting .......
We were hoping for a baby in 2009 for a needed tax credit but that was not God's plan for us. Instead I had to work 12 straight days at work due to Year End closing and a Year End Owner's Audit that was to begin on January 11.
My mom and sister arrived to Houston the weekend of the January 8th and the Cheungs got to business of eating out, shopping and cooking. We had a great weekend. Sheri and Alexander were also in town for Alexander's gymnastics competition and so one Saturday night we all went out to eat a big old Chinese dinner.
Sherri was hoping that the baby would arrive on her watch but the weekend came and went with no changes or signs. My last couple doctor's appointments also showed no new developments. I wasn't feeling any contractions, I hadn't dilated or effaced. This baby was going to be late. January 15 was the expected due date but all signs pointed to later.
On Sunday Zee, Mom, Brent and I went to church and then went to Freebirds for a nice hot spicy Burrito. Maybe that would induce labor. Then the rest of Sunday was spent at Costco, Babies R Us and Target. Stocking up the fridge and buying last minute baby items.
Brent and I hoped and prayed that the baby would come on Monday. It would be perfect because then we would have had time with Mom and Zee on the weekend and then the rest of their stay the baby would be here. Zee was only staying two weeks and Mom for a couple months and we really wanted Auntie Zee to get the most time with the baby. Maybe a last minute cup of Raspberry Tea will help induce.
My mom and sister arrived to Houston the weekend of the January 8th and the Cheungs got to business of eating out, shopping and cooking. We had a great weekend. Sheri and Alexander were also in town for Alexander's gymnastics competition and so one Saturday night we all went out to eat a big old Chinese dinner.
Sherri was hoping that the baby would arrive on her watch but the weekend came and went with no changes or signs. My last couple doctor's appointments also showed no new developments. I wasn't feeling any contractions, I hadn't dilated or effaced. This baby was going to be late. January 15 was the expected due date but all signs pointed to later.
On Sunday Zee, Mom, Brent and I went to church and then went to Freebirds for a nice hot spicy Burrito. Maybe that would induce labor. Then the rest of Sunday was spent at Costco, Babies R Us and Target. Stocking up the fridge and buying last minute baby items.
Brent and I hoped and prayed that the baby would come on Monday. It would be perfect because then we would have had time with Mom and Zee on the weekend and then the rest of their stay the baby would be here. Zee was only staying two weeks and Mom for a couple months and we really wanted Auntie Zee to get the most time with the baby. Maybe a last minute cup of Raspberry Tea will help induce.
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