One Month Plus.

The days pass by and everyday Sofia, you're growing and becoming more and more aware of everyone around you and also things around you. It seems like you're able to definitely recognize mommy and daddy now and also grandma.  It's so adorable to watch you sleep, i spend much too much time i think, just staring and just seeing how pure and innocent life can be.... it's precious.  i couldn't ask for more and wish we could stay like this for much longer than probably we can.  But i do look forward to you growing and learning more, and the memories we will share and that i will always remember forever about you as you are right now, my precious little sofia michael.

Last night we had your 1 month celebration birthday party.  It wasn't too fancy, but nice to have relatives meet and see you for the first time!!  It was only at the clubhouse at Manhattan Hill, so close enough and not too much trouble.  I've been learning that it is really difficult now to leave on time... with a baby, and i wasn't really on time to begin with...  hopefully daddy will understand this soon too.

A transition for sure, but one we will get through for sure.

And mommy is happy, we finally took our Christmas pictures as a family. :)

we love you.
daddy & mommy.

Merry Christmas!

12.25.2009

Sofia is 32 days old and it's her first Christmas! Though it's not very festive... although we have a tree, family is here, it's not the same as when we are home in NJ. I guess she's too little to understand anyways, so that's okay.  But i hope that next year we can go home to NJ and celebrate properly... I'm such a sucker for holidays and how to do them "right"- in the festive manner.  I guess I am also sentimental like that as well.  Maybe that's why. It definitely doesn't really seem very festive though.  I'm a bit sad about it -- being my family hasn't really been around as they're running errands/meeting mom's friends etc , but it's okay.  I'm going to dress Sofia in her little xmas fleece outfit auntie jenjen gave her and i think we'll be going to karlson's later tonight. Hopefully we'll be able to take xmas pics still. :) Most important i think, so that sofia has some memories for later.

Sofia is growing and growing. I think she's grown 2" in the past month and is probably over 9lbs.  Also you're able to move your head from side to side when sleeping on your belly! It's truly amazing how strong you are.  Your neck muscles even- are already so strong, you can hold your head up on your own.  its' such a blessing, i am so thankful that you're my daughter and in my life.

Merry merry christmas!!
love and peace in the world, right? :)

Happy 1 Month Sofia!

I've already said it so far and I'll continue to say this for the rest of my life... "the time goes by so fast".

And it certainly does.

Sofia is already 1 month today.  What an extraordinary month! I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world, to see our little girl come from my tummy into this world and grow and change everyday.  She is becoming more and more beautiful and she is amazing as she continues to learn and absorb the wonders of life around her. I can see her eyes focusing and she hears my and daddy's voice and knows who we are.  Of course she knows who I am- she is practically attached to the boob every 3 hrs on the dot! her timing is impeccable. My body seems to know too... it's amazing how it works and synchronizes.

Sofia has a strong neck too- she holds her head up for a minute at a time at least! She can even turn her head from side to side when we place her on her tummy to sleep- i noticed this two days ago... i put her head down on the right side and later on when i went to check on her, she was sleeping on her left! She cannot do this always i dont' think but i'm not sure.. it's amazing though.

She isn't sleeping very well through the night however, this is the only tough part, but during the day she's an angel.  I hope this changes soon as we'll need to start to set a schedule for her, to play during the day more so we can sleep at night vs vice versa.  There are so many things, to be thankful for... she is a doll and i am so thrilled to be her mommy.

We have chosen a chinese name for her too, and daddy got her birth certificate yesterday (12/22)...
-- Wong Yu Ching -- it means "yellow - sunny - happy" Also apparently she has all 5 elements in her life- water, earth, gold, fire and wood.  Not too many people will have this, so she will definitely be a strong one! I look back at the list i wrote and believe wow, what a good thing it was... daddy even said "i hope you wrote just as a good list for our next one/ our son!" Of course silly. :) Mommy only hopes the best of the universe for our family...

The past month has been full of ups and downs... the confinement lady turned out to be too bad, but oh well. life puts you in contact with different folk, you learn from them, whether good or bad and you decide how that you will use that knowledge and better yourself in the future. right? :)

More importantly though, grandma Tsang has been in HK to visit us since the 14th of this month and what a lovely lovely thing that is. She loves you little Sofia soooo much. it's so endearing to watch her play with you. Auntie jen jen and jackie also arrived last night and grandpa tsang arrived today.  Mommy's family is all here and it's wonderful. :) it's too bad they aren't closer however it just means that much more to spend these few days with them while they're visiting us!! Such a blessing for our entire family to be here... so happy. :)

Yesterday was 12/22- winter solstice.  We went to Yuen long for dinner and to see great grandpa/ma wong! Mommy actually also cut your hair, well, attempted to. i need to take a photo still, it's pretty horrible!  But hopefully the angels are happy and are sending their love, protection and blessings to you for your life.  I already know that you are so very very blessed- to have so many people already love you little girl... remember- thankful, grateful and appreciative to everything and everyone who touches your life and loves you.   Family is always, always, most important.

You are growing everyday... and I am so in love with you, you are such an amazing little person and mommy cannot wait to watch who you will become and the wonderful things you're going to do.

love mommy

Home Sweet Home.

Well, after not being home for almost 3 weeks, i realize I was really getting antsy at m's parents. I mean, it's very lovely, the room is spacious, but it isn't "home."  So last night, Little Girl and I went home. :)  (daddy had gotten mad at grandma wong over feeding, so he stormed off).  And how nice it was to be home. A House isn't necessarily a home, but ours is.  Daddy has been working on stuff throughout our little flat and it's starting to feel and look great.  We still have quite a bit to clean up still, but in time, slowly but surely. :)

12.13 Sunday (evening)
3 weeks ago, mommy started to go into labor...right before Twilight was on (9pm)... luckily it's on again now. haha.  So hot.

12.14 Monday
Happy 3 weeks little Sofia. It's been a good 3 weeks so far- yes, sleepless nights and lots of feeding and diapers but it's worth it and i can't imagine it without you in our lives. I am so grateful and thankful that God has given us you- our little miracle blessing. :)

Daddy is in japan again- the ANF store in Ginza is opening tmrw. He said it's really nice. Too bad I couldn't go but daddy will bring us back goodies. he always does. :p  he'll be back on Wednesday, so not too far away.

Also- grandma tsang will be here tonight!! :) i can't wait for you to meet her. She's wonderful and i'm sure will be very excited to meet you too!!

love mommy and daddy

Time waits for no one...

I have been really thinking about life lately- how quickly it really goes by. Having Sofia has made me really realize why it's important to have children, earlier IS better, though I guess there needs to be some balance. I realize that when she's 10 i'll be 41. When she's 20 I'll be 51... that's not really young anymore. I suppose my mom was the same way... the time really will fly. I am a bit saddened by it, but I guess I cannot worry about being sad and appreciate everyday- to be grateful and joyful and thankful for everything that I have in my life. A beautiful family- husband, daughter, parents, sisters, in laws, extended family... all is what life really is about. Not things, not material. Material helps our lives live more comfortably, but when it comes down to it, happiness is not measured by things but by the memories we share with our loved ones.

I am thankful for all the happiness in my life right now and what's to come.

it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it (yes maybe the hormones too haha); but really, there isn't anything better than right now.

love,

mommy

2 weeks old!

Happy 2 Weeks old Sofia!

Yes, i'll say it again, the time passes so quickly. Mommy is absolutely still amazed by you and will continue to be as i get to watch you grow into a beautiful person. :)

Today we went to Dr. Lee because your cord stump finally started to come off... and we were worried about the bleeding. Grandma Tsang got mad at the pui yuet b/c she said she was too rough... and I should've done it myself, but either way... even the dr said it took awhile, but i don't mind. it seems that you like to take your time. :) just remember, there is a time and place for everything. This case, you're okay.. since you were 10 days late anyhow. :) But the dr took your cord stump off and of course, mommy being sentimental saved it. You are totally now your own little girl... no more mommy attached to you. *sigh* But mommy will always be a part of you, inside. At least the dr said nothing to be worried about and that you should be healthy- unless the belly button doesn't dry up and stays wet-- then we have to go back in a week. So i hope it cleans up okay.

Dr. Lee also said you're strong :) you got weighed today and are over 4kg! that's great, since when we left the hospital on 11/27 you were only 3.29kg. So you've definitely gained back your weight and some! You were quite fussy last night, i'm thinking because of your belly button... supposedly you will be drinking more milk now, so hopefully mommy will continue to have enough for you. No formula if not necessary! (which i am thinking won't be necessary anyhow).

You are a funny little girl... crying in the waiting room- we had to wait over 1/2 hr, but i think because you were hungry. :( then as soon as we got into the dr's office you were quiet and good, observing and taking in everything. :p as long as you're healthy! that's what matters most.

As we were waiting for the car, we saw uncle Daryl and another aunty- grandma Wong's friend. Funny.

We had a rough night last night, but hopefully tonight will be better... and you can sleep and eat more.

We love you little girl... happy 2 weeks! (only one more week till grandma tsang comes to meet you!!)

mommy & daddy.

Confinement (catch up post)

So we hired a "confinement lady" or pui yuet. Chan Gu lerng. She is okay, started over a week ago on Friday- 11/27, the day we came home from the hospital. We were so frantic when we first got home that i think we got off on the wrong foot because she said all the clothes we got were not right, etc etc. i wasn't about to buy new clothes either, so she was just being difficult, or stubborn or something, being that it wasn't what she perhaps was used to... regardless the next day at least was better. M apologized to her but she was still pretty pushy, about pumping ( which i mentioned before too about annoyance and stupid repetitiveness!)

But overall i guess i cannot complain, she is 50, and she is helpful i guess, at least she does do stuff. She repeats herself though, perhaps this is a sign of old age though and not nagging? gosh. i hope i catch myself too when i get to that age... 20 years from now. geez. 20 years from now and little sofia will still only be 20/21... anyhow, don't need to fast forward just yet!

So Chan helps cook "special" meals, which basically consists of chicken and pork, steamed, with veggies, blanched in hot water with ginger. Since i had a c section, i am "not allowed" to eat a number of things, vs. if i gave birth naturally. This is due to the scar/ needing to heal time.

Not allowed to eat for 100 days:

-shrimp

-crab

-raw/cold * though i asked about ice cream and she said it was okay, just not too much

-raw = things like salad :(

Not allowed to eat/do for 30 days:

- use tap water, must "shower" with old ginger boiled water

- bamboo

- drink mostly red date water, not regular hot water... or drink less hot plain water. Not sure why, but the red date water is getting old after 10 days...

Not allowed to eat/do for 20 days/ only after 20th day:

-Beef

- lamb?

Not allowed to eat for 12 days/only after 12th day:

-Gogi berries

- sweets/ like cookies/cake * though should wait for 20 days

- ginger * only in little qtys at first

-Papaya

-Fish * worry too fishy, the smell/taste - start to make fish soup+papaya for milk post day 12+

- finally wash hair!! *but w/ginger peel boiled water

Minimal:

- Fruits- but only apples, oranges, grapes, nothing fancy like mango, lychee etc., of course. :p

So yah, it makes my diet & actions pretty limiting. I've basically been eating the same stuff for lunch and dinner, steamed... its clean, so i dont mind, all the oil/fat is gone. I have (thank goodness) had pizza though & gingerale YUM. For my sanity, of course. :) Oh and i did go to watsons the other day and i got thee yellow tube wine gums. hahaha.

But a sample meal at lunch consists of:

* 1 big huge bowl of soup (pork- the muscle, leanest meat, red dates- to help with blood, and other stuff like chinese stuff, red bean, wai sum, dong song, ginger, orange peel, etc.. or sometimes lotus soup, which is good... lotus supposedly also helps "bo" *** apparently i need lots of soup!

* steamed chicken (organic, i asked her to buy), all the skin taken off so less fat/oil, steamed at 100C for 15 min with red dates, ginger strips and perhaps dong song, or the black frilly fungus and lily stems...

* minced pork + mushrooms also steamed for 100C 15 min (though i still have a bad thing for mushrooms- can't handle them... )

* Or spare ribs/ "pai gwuk" pork with the black beans... or pai gwuk with chestnuts* this is my fav so far

* Steamed broccoli with sliced chicken gizzard

* Or blanched choy sum/ gai lan with ginger

* big bowl of rice

And yes, i'll eat the same stuff for dinner (as i had for lunch) usually. But y'know it's interesting, b/c i'm pretty okay with it. Surprisingly.

Apparently Clay Pots are better btw-- Chan only uses Clay pots to cook, the nutrients supposedly stay in better-- i.e. fish soup should ONLY be cooked in clay pots, if you cook in a regular metal pot, apparently all the nutrients go away. hmm... intersting! i will have to get a clay pot for myself one of these days.

Mama (great grandma wong) also makes me stuff like birds nest and "fa gao" (fish stomach), which are high protein no fat, which is also very good for me, mom (grandma tsang) agrees.

So I'm not allowed to use tap water- as mentioned before, due to later life possible "arthritis" and other potential issues. I haven't been able to wash my hair for the past 14 days too (it's actually only 12 days, but we happened to wait 14 due to her day off-- shoot, by the time we got home from the hospital on day 5, i figured we might as well wait another 7 days!). The ginger water makes my body warm, and protects from "wind"... hey, if it's going to keep me healthy when i get older, might as well do it. what've i got to lose :)

the whole no proper shower thing though is difficult, but i guess i can sacrifice now... for later. no soap might i add, so i basically bathe/wipe down with only ginger water. I tried using soap one day and broke out into semi rash... i put 180 though on it to help neutralize, thank goodness for mom's nuskin training and the ph balance of 180! I guess soap will irritate the skin now as i'm technically "recovering". C sections are still pretty major surgery. I feel lucky that i'm good, i hope my uterus is recovering as quickly as i am in the rest of my body. :)

I also have to brush my teeth with bottled water- since no tap is allowed. (face washing is done with ginger water too- being careful of the eyes not to sting... thank goodness today i finally exfoliated.) i think when the 30 days are up, i'm going to go to the spa for one of those total body exfoliation scrubs. yes, i think i need that.

There are some things though i feel are a bit off about Chan- I guess it's just werid for a "stranger" basically to be looking over your shoulder while you breastfeed... nipple and all. I suppose I am already pretty open about the boob- from what i think, being m's mom also hovers sometimes... In the hospital during those days even. Shoot she was in the labor room when they were checking down there too, so i donno, embarassed? i guess I can't be at this point lol. sigh. all part of the human body, which is beautiful i suppose so we shouldn't be embarassed, but still, um. yah. :p

Chan also is a bit stubborn, and rough, sometimes I worry about her, esp esp ESP when she is cleaning sofia's cord stump. She has noted over and over again (seriously i think almost everyday since we've been home) about how her stump is not tied/cut pretty... so that's why it hasn't fallen off. Well! I can't do anything about it now, but maybe you should be a bit nicer or gentler with my baby??? i mean even in the hospital they only used alcohol wipes, NOT Q TIPS!!! it's kinda scary the way she does it... :( I just hope little Sofia's cord stump doesn't get infected, since it started bleeding on Thursday-- when i went to the hospital for my stitches removed... We are taking Sofia to the dr tmrw as well, hope he has availability-- so that she is okay and no infection. I think it's okay b/c the skin around isn't red, but you can't be so sure since babies can't communicate really. Better Safe than Sorry.

I'm sure she's bored too, since there isn't much for her to do- we're still more hands on (ok, i am) during the day- the only time she really gets to hold baby is when she takes her bath and burping (i can also burp baby but i just let her b/c m thinks she feels un-useful if not)...

Overall though I guess I should be thankful-- i mean, having someone to take care of me/ cook and clean and stuff, since she does wash Sofia's stuff, and clean up, yah... I should be grateful overall still. Not everyone is as lucky to hire a pui yuet, or learn about these things of eastern culture, i mean shoot, if i were in the states, I wouldn't have known all these things...

Remember to be grateful...

***

As for baby sofia, she's growing every day. I don't know if her face is "changing", but she is gaining weight i do think (perhaps we need to get a scale soon)... she's becoming more alert as well, opening her eyes more when she eats, and wants to play around 8pm. She's sleeping a bit more now, about 3 hrs at a time which is great thru the night...

Her voice though started to change about 4 days ago- it's more "scratchy/sandy" now... hope her vocal chords aren't damaged, maybe it'll be good for singing later on as daddy hoped...

The only bad thing is that her belly button is starting to bleed- the cord stump... which is totally making me nervous since Chan has been cleaning it the past week and i feel like she keeps digging too deep; but M told me that she does this for a living, so just trust her... though i think you can't force these things? She keeps saying too that the stump was not cut/tied properly/nicely, so that's the problem. Perhaps it is or perhaps it isn't but either way-- we can't do anything about it!! so we just need to fix it now.

Her skin is also still really dry- perhaps i need to drink more water (though i've been drinking "red-date water" which is eh.

Her nails are also quite long-- the first week in the hospital we kept mittens on her, but since we've been home i have taken them off. Her nails have kinda broken off themselves, making them shorter (i don't have a baby nail clipper, the ones in the kits are still too big and files don't work b/c her nails are too bendable still, not hardened)... anyhow, i took them off because i don't want her to not have proper development of her fingers and hands... even when we first took them off i noticed she doesn't like people touching her hands. But each day i try to massage her fingers and her toes, and hopefully this will help. She is started to scratch herself though, which isn't great- but i just don't really want to put the mittens back on, so enhancer it is.

The past 3 days too, she hasn't been crying as much when she soils her diaper. It's weird-- either she knows daddy/mommy will change it for her, or she doesn't mind? I'm not sure. I'd like to think it's the former, where she trusts that she'll be cleaned-- though lately too, she's been pooping while we change her, or she'll pee... but i guess as long as she's not crying and is a happy healthy baby, then i am happy too. :)

The nights haven't been bad either, she wakes up about 3xs, about every 3 hrs. Somehow though it's interesting because her milk supply and her timing are pretty much on track. Though with teh pumping lately it's a bit more off, since I try to pump when the milk starts leaking- so not to waste the milk!! We try to keep about 2oz in the ridge so daddy can help feed her at least one bottle a day now. This helps i hope him bond with her more. I know she will be daddy's little girl-- i just don't want him to feel left out during feeding time now, since we are still quite close, for obvious reasons.

Daddy though has been so wonderful, changing her diapers in the evening. I do the diaper duty at night though, but that's okay. It's quiet time for us...

i think Sofia is starting to recognize us now too, at least our voices if she cannot see very far in front of her (i still hope she takes after daddy with her eyesight!)... which is exciting.

the time is flying by. tomorrow she will be two weeks old already. two weeks ago we went to the hospital and labor started...

Still so amazing. Life is.

all the love for our wonderful little family, and our big family-- loved ones.

But such a blessing this little girl... I still can't believe she's ours...