2/10/06 – First bath
2/11/06 – Newborn club appointment – weight: 7 lbs, 13 ounces.
2/15/06 – Newborn club appointment – weight: 8 lbs, 6 ounces.
2/17/06 – First trip to the emergency room – the advice nurse wanted to be safe and check your breathing, luckily you were fine. It was 3am! The attendant checking you in told Mommy and Daddy to have more kids because she said you were cute. We had visitors who were sick and you caught their cold!
2/20/06 – Daddy went back to work.
2/21/06 – Finds hands!
2/22/06 – Hung out in the back of the MDX and watched the Tour of California cycling time trial in San Jose
2/24/06 – Doctor visit for your congestion. Weight: 9 lbs, 8 ounces
2/25/06 – Went to Auburn to visit Grandma’s new house
February Recap:
Your first bath – at the hospital on the day you were born.
Your first visit to the doctor – Friday, February 24th because you had a mild cold with some congestion
Your first smile – when you fall asleep you smile and laugh to yourself
Special memories – you like to suck your hands bu get frustrated because you can’t coordinate your hands to put them in your mouth; you grunt and snort a lot because of your congestion
3/6/06 – Dr Carlino’s first visit 10 pounds, 6 ounces 21 inches, head circumference: 14.75″
3/7/06 – You found your thumb! 1 month old
3/21/06 – Watched Daddy’s basketball game – your first
3/22/06 – Your first series of shots!
3/30/06 – First smile “voluntary”
March recap:
Height: 21 inches
Weight: 10 pounds, 6 ounces
Sleeping patterns: You sleep in our bed and started falling asleep on your own (we used to rock you to sleep)
Eating patterns: Every 2-3 hours you are a hungry guy; sometimes you get frustrated and cry while eating. You don’t like when Mommy eats Korean food – too spicy.
Special memories: You love the bears over the changing table – it’s helped you to be calmer when we change your diaper (you used to hate being changed); you are more alert now and smile at us with a big toothless grin; you are more independent and like looking around at everything; Daddy loves that your arms are shorter than the top of your head – you like to sleep with both hands straight up; watched March Madness and UCLA getting to the finals; you sneeze in 2’s and 3’s (never just once)
4/2/06 – laughs aloud
4/4/06 – 8 weeks old!
4/6/06 – 2 months old!
4/7/06 – We saw TEARS! You were so hungry, you were crying while getting your diaper changed
4/8/06 – Auntie Meg and Uncle Jeff come visit
4/10/06 – You found your fingers and love to suck and make “mmm” noises – they must be tasty
4/11/06 – You won’t suck on the pacifier because you love your fingers
4/12/06 – Dr Carlino’s appointment – Weight: 13 lbs, 11 ounces (75%), Height: 23 1/2 inches (60%), HC: 16″
4/14/06 – Drove to LA – took 9 hours, 2 stops to change and feed you
4/15/06 – Met Mommy and Daddy’s college friends, visited with Grandma and Grandpa Tsao. Grandma also drove down with us
4/16/06 – First Easter
4/17/06 – Drove home – only 1 stop, about 8 hours. The last 20 minutes you cried non-stop because you were hungry.
4/29/06 – Red Egg & Ginger party at Far East Cafe in Chinatown
4/30/06 – sat up on arms – 90 degrees
April recap:
Height: 23 1/2 inches (60%)
Weight: 13 lbs, 11 ounces (75%)
Ways to comfort you: You like to be held upright over the shoulder and LOVE the sound of the dryer. You have found your hand and love to suck your fingers (sometimes two hands at once, but usually 2-3 fingers)
Our bonding moments: We read to you and have started playing peak-a-boo, you love to look around and are curious about your surroundings
Special memories: You love looking at the mirror and laughing with “your buddy” as Daddy refers to your reflection. Your favorite words are “a-goo” and “a-boo”. You giggle and smile when we smile at you. You can finally play on your own (for a little while anyways). We call you “purple baby” when you cry non-stop – you turn bright red, then purple! Daddy encourages you to “breathe, baby, breathe”.
5/7/06 – So close to rolling over; 3 months!
5/10/06 – You slept from 12:30 – 5:45am: closest to “sleeping through the night” so far
5/14/06 – Mommy’s first Mother’s Day
5/16/06 – You found your thumb, again, you suck one thumb and push the sucking hand further in with the non-sucking hand
5/17/06 – Flipped over from back to front. Daddy caught it on tape!
5/18/06 – 25 inches, 17 pounds (unofficial since there’s no Dr. appointment this month)
5/24/06 – We’re going to Hawaii!! (Mike and Show’s wedding #1) – finds feet; Grandma and Papa were there too and help us watch you
5/30/06 – Back from Maui
May recap:
Height: 25 inches
Weight: 17 pounds
Unique sounds you make: Daddy likes “ooo” or “oo” like Boo because you make an “O” with your lips; you make noises like a horse by spitting out your lips (like a trumpet player) – Daddy hates it because Mommy taught you!
Cutest moments: Mommy puts Baby’s hands on her cheeks and Mommy squeals; then when Mommy puts her hands on Baby’s cheeks, Baby squeals in return
Special memories: Mommy’s first Mother’s Day
6/6/06 – Uncle Brian scared you – he yelled out while playing MJ and you cried uncontrollably, scaredy cat
6/7/06 – 4 months old
6/9/06 – Height: 26 5/8″, Weight: 17 pounds, 1.5 ounces, Head circumference: 16 7/8″
6/10/06 – Plane to LA (Mike and Show’s LA reception #2)
6/12/06 – Back from LA – tugging at your ear
6/13/06 – More tugging on your ear
6/14/06 – First baby-sitter: Mommy returned to work after being off for 5 months. Your first day at daycare with Miss Melissa, but a trip to the doctor for your ear
6/15/06 – Full day at Miss Melissa’s – you sleep lots there
6/18/06 – Daddy’s first Father’s Day
6/24/06 – Mommy went to Auntie Laurie’s bachelorette party in Monterey – first night away from you 🙁
6/25/06 – Daddy left for New Hampshire – his first week away; Grandma stayed with us all week long
6/30/06 – Daddy returned, cried for an hour in your car seat, crossing the Bay Bridge on the way to Grandma’s house
June recap
Height: 26 5/8″
Weight: 17 pounds, 1.5 ounces
Latest discoveries: watching Mommy and Daddy eat – we think you want adult food now – let’s wait a little bit longer to avoid food allergies; can suck your toes; Daddy taught you “High Five” which you like to do; you like putting your toys in your mouth and then leaving it there with no hands and holding it there with your gums. You can inch (not crawl) around in the crib – you do 360’s to get what you want; you’re getting better sleeping in your crib
New developments: Starting to sit up on your own – you can sit up for a little bit and then you fall over; when we blow in your face, you gasp and hold your breath! Daddy doesn’t like when Mommy does this – Mommy enjoys it! You don’t like the alarm clock (who does?) – you wake up groggy and glare at it, annoyed. Then smile 🙂
Other important firsts: can roll over in both directions pretty easily now, especially when we’re trying to change your diaper; once I found you rolled across the room and ended up stuffing Mommy’s sock in your mouth; proficient thumb-sucker; you’re getting better on your feet – with support, you like to stand up; Grandma taught you how to give “Love” – a kiss on the cheek as long as someone puts his/her face by yours; you still love to smile! Except when you are in your car seat. When we got home from LA on the plane, you started tugging on your ears – we took you to the doctor who said it was probably from the pressure, even though we fed you. You had no problems when we went to Maui.
7/1/06 – Went swimming in the wading pool at Grandma’s
7/4/06 – Watched fireworks at home out of our window – 1st 4th of July
7/5/06 – Drinks from cup – You like sucking on the glass
7/7/06 – 5 months old
7/8/06 – Auntie Kristin’s bridal shower
7/14/06 – Official crawling – on the bed towards the remote or the People magazine
7/15/06 – Auntie Laurie’s bridal shower at her aunt Cindy’s; went to Mommy’s work picnic beforehand
7/19/06 – Slept through the night – in the crib!
7/21/06 – Visited Future Assets and crawled around the gym mat and looked at yourself in the mirror
7/22/06 – LA trip – again for Auntie Tracy’s and Uncle Samson’s wedding (#3)
7/25/06 – Pulls self up
7/26/06 – Can sit up on your own from lying down to sitting up
7/27/06 – Sits by self
7/28/06 – Baby’s first meal from a spoon – Eats Cereal!
7/29/06 – Mommy had to work, so you had a boys’ day with Daddy
July recap:
Your favorite toys: Baby Einstein water car toy – can’t drive without it! Your keys, fish teething ring, Chicco man toy – this makes you so happy to see – is it the googlie eyes?
Things that make you smile: When Mommy (or anyone) smiles at your first, you smile back. You love to watch people eat and talk on the phone
Other important firsts: You’ve outgrown the sleeping carrier – you sleep on our bed without it now; you will inch around on the bed until you find someone to cuddle with – you like to snuggle. You tried drinking out of Mommy’s big glass – all we see is your face from the other end. You can cross your fingers – you even suck them while crossed; you can sit up straight, but need help getting to the seated position, then you start sucking on your toes; you can fit into your stroller without the infant carrier; you love sucking your toes – you try sticking both feet in your mouth at once; you ate cereal on July 28th after Daddy came home from work.
8/4/06 – Rice cereal & apples – Eats Fruit
8/5/06 – Auntie Laurie’s bridal shower
8/7/06 – 6 months old
8/11/06 – Height: 27 1/2″, Weight: 18 pounds, 8.5 ounces, Head Circumference: 17 1/4″
8/19/06 – Wedding #4
8/20/06 – First trip to Disneyland; you enjoyed “It’s a Small World” and went on Pirates of the Caribbean
8/22/06 – Sticking out your tongue
8/24/06 – Eats vegetables (sweet peas)
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8/26/06 – Claps hands together, stands by self
August Recap:
Height: 27 1/2″
Weight: 18 pounds, 8.5 ounces
Head Circumference: 17 1/4″
Favorite picture book: First words, numbers & phonics
Favorite songs: “You are my sunshine” “Itsy Bitsy Spider”
Other important firsts: You can stand up on your own in the crib; we had to lower the crib so you wouldn’t fall out! You don’t like staying in your crib anyways. Trip to Disneyland; first tuxedo at Brian’s wedding; you are an alarm clock – set to 530am every morning. You get hungry then go right back to sleep after you get food. You’re eating brown rice, fruit, green peas (which Daddy doesn’t like feeding you); everyone at Brian’s wedding said what a good baby you are; you go to anyone and are always fun and full of laughs and smiles.
9/1/06 – Mommy and Daddy’s 5th year anniversary; Half Moon Bay Ritz – we had rose petals on our bed, you had yours decorated with your toys
9/2/06 – Says “Ma – ma” but not in reference to “Mommy” also says “Ba ba ba”
9/3/06 – Tai-Po’s 80th birthday
9/5/06 – First Day of Future Assets!
9/7/06 – 7 months old
9/9/06 – Maui, Hawaii for Auntie Kristin’s wedding (#5); most of Papa’s family is there; you fell off the bed in the condo – Daddy got up in the middle of the night to get something for you, and Mommy was responsible for keeping you on the bed. Mommy fell asleep before Daddy returned and in the meantime, you rolled off. Luckily, the bed wasn’t too high off the ground
9/17/06 – Auntie Laurie and Uncle Scott’s wedding day – you wore your tuxedo again, while Mommy was the matron of honor (#6)
9/23/06 – We met Abigail, your cousin! Then we went to Uncle Ernie’s wedding (#7)
9/25/06 – 1st tooth!
September Recap:
Weight: 19 pounds, 15.5 ounces
Your nighttime routine: You like to play with blocks, books or toys, then take a bath, eat and fall asleep. Sometimes you don’t stay asleep, then we have to start walking you around because you are cranky.
Your morning routine: You LOVE waking up at 5am! We can almost set our alarms by you. You eat a bit, then roll around and fall back to sleep. You mostly wake up cranky and hungry at 5am, but when you wake up again, around 7am, you’re more cheery and playful.
Other important firsts: You’re so much more talkative – you say “Mah-Mah” “Bah-Bah” – we know you are happy when you say, “Bah-bah-bah” and like to chime in on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” especially when we have sheep on the farm. Started Future Assets – you love playing with all the toys there. Do you take toys away from Tori, who can’t move yet? Daddy taught you to clap while he says, “Dink, dink, dink” – you get so excited about this! You love pulling Daddy’s glasses off his face. When we eat food, you try to “taste” it by licking our mouths – or one time, Daddy wasn’t fast enough and you chomped down on his manju – still no teeth. Your first too! We took you to the doctor on 9/25 because you’ve been sick and stayed home from school last week. Since you had a cough, we wanted to make sure you were ok. While there, I asked the doctor to check on the progress of your tooth. Only one is out so far, on the bottom! We’re using Ambesol and that helps.
10/5/06 – pink eye 🙁 2nd tooth!
10/7/06 – Memory Walk on Treasure Island, Fleet week; 8 months old!
10/27/06 – 3rd tooth!
10/28/06 – Clicking your tongue, can walk while supported
10/31/06 – First Halloween!
October Recap:
Height: 28 inches
Weight: 20 pounds, 10 ounces
Meal time memories: You’re eating pureed chicken that Daddy makes; it usually ends up in your hair! You’ve tried chicken, turkey and pork. We make sweet potato, corn, beans, peas, carrots, and pasta. Pears, apples and bananas are some of your favorites. You still love to watch Mommy and Daddy eat and smack your lips while watching.
Going out and about: We went on the Alzheimer’s walk on Treasure Island on 10/7. You were strolling, but had a great time! You stuck your head out from underneath the stroller canopy with both hands out of the stroller. We tied a balloon on the stroller and that kept you entertained! It was a 3-mile walk – you only lasted the first mile, then fell fast asleep. Went trick or treating with Jesselyn – she was an angel, you were a bee. We went too late, so not much candy. Jonathan, Jesselyn’s daddy, and your Daddy want to take you and Jesselyn earlier next year – also going to Santana Row.
New discoveries: You are more adventurous – standing up then trying to wave your hand around. Carol and Fay have named you “Bruiser” as you crawled over to Adi, who was standing up (much bigger than you) and pushed him over. Now he’s scared of you! You can click your tongue. You also grind your teeth – especially as the top ones are just starting to break through. You can take steps if we hold onto your hands. Your hips are loosy-goosy, but you make it ok. We love your little halloween outfit (Uncle Kenny calls you “B” so it was “bee”-fitting). You push your box of blocks with the Chicken Socks backpack on top down the hallway, without looking back. You look like a little homeless boy pushing everything you own on one box.
11/3/06 – The day the kitchen chair attacked you. It missed all the important places, like your teeth, because it fell backwards on you and just your face showed through the hole.
11/7/06 – 9 months old
11/8/06 – 4th tooth
11/13/06 – 4 top teeth all coming out at the same time!
11/21/06 – Daddy brought home the dinosaur toy because he couldn’t wait until Christmas
11/23/06 – 1st Thanksgiving – up in Tahoe!
November Recap:
Height: 28 1/2″
Weight: 20 pounds 15 ounces
Head Circumference: 18″
Meeting new people: You enjoy spending time wiht Kimberlee, Jeffrey and Gregory. You were entertaining everyone by crawling one way, making a sudden turn and crawling in the opposite direction, then changing again all the while giggling!! You talked to Grandma on the phone – “Da da da…” Daddy thinks “Da da da” refers to Mommy because you say it when you want to eat.
Your favorite baby-sitter: Carol at Future Assets: you are happy crawling, playing in the toddler room every morning, but as soon as you see Miss Carol, you start to cry because you want her to pick you up.
New discoveries – You are getting better at standing up and at the beginning of the month, can walk with assistance – either by holding onto our hands or using props. Unfortunately, one of the props came tumbling down on you, resutling in a slightly bloody nose.
You like the dinosaur toy, but don’t like letting go of the balls – you like the lights flashing but cheat and push the tabs down instead of using the balls.
12/4/06 – Plays “peek a boo” on your own
12/7/06 – 10 months old
12/9/06 – Your first Christmas tree on Daddy’s birthday
12/16/06 – Walking? First step
12/18/06 – You like playing with your lips, imitating Mommy – blubbering your lips
12/20/06 – “Look Ma, no hands” – you let go and stood by yourself
12/21/06 – First haircut – Daddy tried to “fade” you up
12/25/06 – 1st Christmas!
12/30/06 – Took 2 steps towards Auntie Jean
December Recap:
Weight: 22 pounds, 3 ounces
Baby on the move: 12/6: Mommy was getting something in the kitchen while Daddy was in the back. Mommy was supposed to be watching you, then Daddy looks out and says, “Watch him!” Well, I was watching but then Daddy said, “Look” – you had flipped over the step stool and held onto two legs using it as a walker. You were “walking” – but Daddy said, “At least you’re not using the wall yet like Abigail did when she first learned to walk.” About an hour later, yo udid exactly that! You were walking against the wall!
12/25/06 – You are so dainty when you open your Christmas presents – you open them with just your index finger and thumb. It takes you forever! Like you don’t want to rip the wrapping.
Getting into everything: We got our tree and you didn’t even touch it! Are you afraid? We spent Xmas eve at Tai-Po’s house then went to Las Vegas to visit Auntie Meg, Uncle Jeff, Abby, Yie-Yie and Nai-nai. You were grumpy and didn’t want to go to anyone! But you did play with Abby’s car toys and exersaucer. You didn’t like being trapped in the exercaucer. You preferred to travel around the outside. You chased Grace around once you stopped being afraid of her.
When we say “Touchdown” you throw both arms in the air – we did this for you when you were little, but now you can do it on your own! (Abby does this when you say, “Superstar”).
New discoveries: You can play peek a boo on your own! You like to hide behind Mommy’s shirt while you’re eating; favorite/first word: “duck” – you know sometimes (while you happen to be already holding your rubber duckie); you motion along with “Twinkle, Twinkle” by “blinking” your hands. We have a snowman and his dog who sings “Jingle Bells” and you totally rock out shaking your head from side to side while bouncing up and down. This is exactly what Mommy thought you’d be (soo excited) when she imagined Christmas this time last year. 12/20: You were playing with a CD in both hands and didn’t realize you were standing unsupported! We got so surprised we scared you and then grabbed you so you wouldn’t fall. You moved from using the back of your hand to play with your mouth, lips and voice to now using your fingers. When we say” Hello”, you put the phone (or sometimes a remote or other toy) up to your ear to “talk” to us.
1/1/07 – Happy New Year! You stayed up to greet the New Year, but didn’t quite last ’til midnight
1/2/07 – You waved “Hello” to Olivia at school after a two week break
1/3/07 – Grandpa’s 60th suprise birthday!
1/4/07 – You smile with ALL your teeth showing and squint your eyes
1/5/07 – recognizes and points to a helium balloon – looks up at the ceiling
1/6/07 – recognizes word “dog” and says, “Wow – wow” you look so serious when you say it – with your eyebrows furrowed
1/7/07 – You point to Elmo and say, “Melmo” -11 months old! Tickle Me Elmo startles you sometimes, but you like tickling him
1/12/07 – Stand up on your own two feet and hold your arms out (palms up) when we say “Ta-dah!”
1/13/07 – First shoes! Two pairs – your feet are huge! They don’t make crawling shoes your size!
1/18/07 – Mommy and you were riding in the elevator when I asked you to look up at the floors – you looked right up! You understand! You also crawled to your favorite toy in the toddler room when we went to school and Mommy asked you to point to your favorite toy.
1/20/07 – Kids with your size foot should be walking already! And they are extra wide!!
1/22/07 – Climbed over Mommy (used me as a step stool) and crawled up to the couch to get to some food!
1/24/07 – Normally you flail around in your sleep or while you try to get to sleep, but then Daddy puts you to sleep by massaging your face – you stop moving and are an angel
1/26/07 – Understands “water” you went to get your bottle of water
1/30/07 – You got into the Pampers box and pointed down the hall for Daddy to push you like he had before
January Recap:
Weight: 22 pounts, 11 ounces (with clothes on)
Still don’t sleep well – it takes a long time for you to fall asleep – rolling around in bed. You still like “Twinkle twinkle” and “blink” your hands while we sing. Starting to sleep in the crib, but you dn’t last too long.
Your favorite games: Still “peek a boo” ; you love playing in the bath, especially with your squeeze toys – Grandma got you a set of ocean-themed toys. You like to “look for food” – you pull open Mommy’s shirt and look down to see what’s to eat.
Playmates and social activities: You waved “Hello” to Olivia – you just threw your arm up in the air and tried to watch and look at her around me while I was taking you out of the carseat; upon returning back to schoo. Everyone commented about your haircut!
New discoveries: 1/5/07 – you can recognize our words – when we ask you where the balloon is, you point up to the ceiling (balloon from Grandpa’s surprise birthday party). You point and say “Wou-wou” , your dog. Grandma taguth you that word. We think when you say “Dat” you’re asking “What’s that?” because you point to an object. YOu like blueberries, but don’t chew them! We found WHOLE ones in your diaper. Saying “mama” much more, but sometimes sounds like “Mmmm Mmmm” which is FOOD. You can stand alone for at least a second or two at a time – you have your palms up and hands out as if to say “Look at me!” and we say “Ta-Dah” and you get so excited.
2/2/07 – Said “Nana” and wanted to eat your banana
2/4/07 – Superbowl Sunday! Your first. Last year this time, we were eagerly awaiting your arrival. Due-Bo translation = Superbowl, after a few days of not figuring out what you’re trying to say.
2/6/07 – You can kiss! You say, “Mmm-Ah” when Mommy kisses you.
2/7/07 – HAPPY 1st Birthday
2/8/07 – Practicing saying “Carol” = “Where-woe”
2/10/07 – Brandon’s first birthday celebration
2/16/07 – We went to Bodega Bay this weekend with Uncle MIke, Auntie Show, Uncle Kenny and Auntie Rachel
2/17/07 – New words: “Wow” “Da da Vroom” you saw a golf cart from our window and said, “Vroom vroom”
2/18/07 – Saw some dogswhile hiking near Bodega Bay – you let Uncle Mike hold you – is it because he’s tall like Daddy?
2/24/07 – Mommy was cutting up a banana – “Nana” – you pointed to a bruised spot and said, “Ewww”
2/25/07 – We really think you’re close to walking now! You took about 10 steps – you throw your hands in the air and walk like a drunk man.
2/27/07 – Pointed at Mommy while she washed her hands, then walked across the room at school when Mommy came to pick you up
February Recap:
Height: 30 3/4″
Weight: 23 pounds, 2 ounces
Head Circumference: 18″
Memorable moments from your first birthday party: Playing with the dump truck that Uncle Robert and Auntie Julie got you; you pushed it around everywhere
Our favorite moments from your first year:
2/11: we’ve been walking with you in your stroller, but after our walk today and a nap, you handed Mommy your hat and started pointing to your stroller and then towards the door. You even let Mommy put your hat on (usually you just take it off). You kept whining until Uncle Mike Cha took oyu outside for a walk. You really love it outside.
Where it all began (Brandon was born) – a note to Brandon
Monday, February 6, 2006
730am – supposed to call Kaiser between 7:45am – 8am to make sure there was a bed available, since you didn’t come on your own. An induction had been scheduled two weeks ago for today just in case you didn’t arrive (your original due date was January 30th).
Kaiser told Dad to come on in, but Grandma and I wanted to shower first! Grandma had driven down to stay overnight after Superbowl Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks. Daddy called Nai-Nai and Yie-Yie in Los Angeles and they started driving shortly thereafter.
830am – We weren’t much in a hurry I supposed since we’d been already waiting for you to arrive for so long anyways. Along the way, we forgot the tripod, so we turned around and went home to get it. Then Dad wasn’t sure he had enough videotape, so again, we stopped at Rite Aid to pick up some more. Sheesh, it was almost a 30-minute ride (normally, it only takes 5 minutes to get to the hospital).
9am – We arrived at the hospital and checked in with the receptionist. After some paperwork was completed, we were showed our room – Labor and Delivery Room #4. There were only 5 patients total for the day (not many at all)! Our room was nice and big – grandma, Daddy and I all fit with all of our gear as well. We had the videocamera, regular camera, extra clothes for all of us, and food for Daddy and Grandma (even some Otter Pops for me that were put into the freezer). We all got excited when we saw what would later be your bed – it was off in the corner.
10am – The doctor came in to tell us that we needed to use misoprostol (Cytotec®) inserts to ripen my cervix so it would be more responsive to contractions when they did occur. She explained that there would be one insert every 4 hours up to 5 inserts (that’s 20 hours!), and if there was still no change, then a balloon would be inflated to help open the cervix. The cervix needed to be open 3 cm before Pitocin could be started. Pitocin accelerates contractions. There was a monitor around my belly to measure your heart rate and another to monitor my contractions. The nurse said that once the insert was in, the doctor wouldn’t check on me until at least 4 hours had passed. I had not been feeling any contractions thus far, but supposedly on the monitor, they were happening.
11am – 1pm – The nurse (Hillary) came in every hour to check my blood pressure. She put an IV line to have access for later. Grandma, Dad and I just watched TV all morning long. Grandma and Dad went out to get lunch (Korean food) while I ate bland Bee Bim Bop (no added spice). I was lucky to be able to eat; if I had been having contractions, the doctor would not have let me eat at all. Auntie Jennifer Yu called from LA to check on us. She knew you were due soon, but didn’t know we were in the hospital today.
200pm – No doctor yet to check on us and place the next insert.
230pm – No change! The doctor said my cervix was still only 1 cm dilated, therefore another insert (#2) and another 4 hours!
3-5pm – Still blood pressure checks every hour and getting up to go pee – having to drag the IV pole and monitor attachments each time. Good news – I was feeling some mild contractions and watching them on the monitors. It looks like a mountain when there is a contraction! A new nurse, Soly, replaced Hillary after 330pm.
630pm – The doctor checked again and still no change. Therefore, insert #3 was given. Also, Yie-Yie and Nai-Nai arrived from LA. We all took turns guessing how much you’d weigh. The guesses were between 6 and 7 pounds. We visited for awhile, and they enjoyed watching the monitor to check for contractions. I did have one pretty bad one while they were there, but overall they were not bad. Yie-Yie and Nai-Nai went back to our house to rest up and spend the night waiting for the phone call that you had arrived. I was able to eat dinner, but this time, it was hospital food. Chicken, rice, green beans and carrots – I scarfed it down because I was starving! Grandma and Daddy ate leftovers from lunch.
7-10pm – Still more TV! We tried to read some People magazines that Tai-Po collected for me from Great Aunt Jean.
1030pm – The doctor checked again – 2.5 cm! Good news: I was progressing, bad news: I needed one more insert. I was becoming more uncomfortable, but knew nothing more would happen until at least 230am. Grandma, Dad and I were just going to have to get comfortable for the night.
11pm – Soly left, and Esther started.
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
12-2am – not much going on now, trying to sleep as much as possible. Daddy was in a rocking chair with his feet propped up on two other chairs while Grandma had a chair that turned into a bed.
230am – The doctor came in to examine me – 3cm dilated! Now we’re talking. Soon after, things got rolling. Once the doctors mentioned Pitocin, I immediately requested the epidural. That would help with any pain from Pitocin-induced contractions. The epidural was administered and the nurse cautioned Daddy not to look. Esther, the nurse, held my hand during the procedure. The numbing agent was painful, but went ok. It was a frightening experience knowing there was a catheter being inserted into the spine so that the medication could be administered. They looked at my long torso and informed me they’d need a lot of medication. The Pitocin was making me more uncomfortable as it gave me harder contractions. It felt like a lot of pressure down there, but it meant that I was that much closer to meeting you! The doctors continued to check my progress every 3-4 hours. During this time, Esther checked my blood pressure every hour and was concerned because it was getting higher. She was worried about pre-eclampsia, which worried me, but then later she realized that pain was causing my blood pressure to go up. I wasn’t really telling her I was in pain, but it just so happened that every time my blood pressure was taken, I was having a contraction. Bad timing.
6-7am – The doctors checked again. I was now 6cm! Esther said once I started Pitocin, it would be 1cm dilation approximately every hour. She put your birth time at around 11am or so.
7am – Bertha was our new nurse, Esther was done with her shift. I was really feeling the contractions and really uncomfortable now. Not really pain; the pain score never really got above a 3. I told the doctors to give me more medicine if my pain was at a 5 (out of 10). At some point this morning, there were alarms going off on one of the pumps that administers the medicine. I immediately asked Daddy to check which one it was. Daddy traced all the IV lines to the one machine that was beeping. It was the epidural pump!! Quickly, Daddy alerted the nurses – if it were any other pump (fluids, antibiotics, Pitocin), it would not have concerned me, but this was the pain medication after all. The nurse came in shortly to change the syringe and add another full one. After this, it was more TV.
8am – The nurse prepared all the sterile equipment and wheeled in a cart full of supplies for later. It was getting close to your arrival, and they wanted everything to be ready.
930am – The nurse said the doctor would come in and check on me. However, once the doctor came in, she said I was 10 cm and it was pushing time, but the nurse wasn’t quite ready for us yet! The nurse said she had to discharge another patient first, then she could devote her time to us. Meanwhile, now I was in agony, especially knowing you were ready. I had to wait for both the doctor and nurse to be ready for us. This didn’t happen for another hour! I guess they figured I’d already waited this long, what’s another hour.
In the meantime, Daddy called Nai-Nai and Yie-Yie who were staying at our house and updated them and told them you’d probably be born pretty soon.
1030am – Finally the nurse and doctor were both ready for me to push! We started pushing with each contraction, but the doctor decided to push with every other contraction because your heart rate kept dropping. The contractions were stressing you out. Later you did ok so we pushed with every contraction. Grandma and Daddy updated me on how far you were out. First just the top of your head was visible, then later, more and more of your head could be seen. The doctors said that you had hair (which we saw in your last ultrasound). This gave me encouragement to push harder so I could see your hair for myself.
1200pm – It didn’t seem like it had been that long, but really, an hour and a half of pushing and I was drained! Especially since I hadn’t slept very well in 48 hours (I couldn’t sleep well on Superbowl Sunday because I was so excited to finally meet you). The doctors even had to cut me a little bit because you weren’t able to make it out quite by yourself.
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1219pm – After almost 2 hours of pushing, you arrived! What a relief!! You came out and pooped on the floor! Your eyes were wide open and you looked right at me, then Daddy and Grandma. It was the happiest day of my life! You were crying a little bit, but calmed down and looked around. Grandma said you were so long, once you started coming out, you just kept coming and coming. You had 10 fingers and 10 toes, and you were perfect. The doctors put you in my arms and Daddy cut your umbilical cord. Unfortunately, since Daddy was the one taking all the pictures, we didn’t get a picture of Daddy cutting the cord. The videocamera was set up, but Daddy was in its path when he cut the cord. Nai-Nai and Yie-Yie came in shortly thereafter to visit and meet you. While the doctors worked on me, the nurses took you to the scale in the corner of the room, where we’d seen your bed earlier the day before. 8 pounds, 1.6 ounces and 21 inches long. No one would have guess that. We’d all been guessing that you’d been somewhere around 6 pounds since that’s what the last ultrasound estimated you to be. You were then cleaned up (your first bath) because you had a lot of goop in your hair. I finally got to see your hair! They wrapped you up like a burrito to make sure you were nice and warm and topped you off with a hat. Then they gave you back to me so that you could have something to eat. Bertha, the nurse, had to show us how to properly feed you. It was new for both of us. Time was all a blur after this. But one thing’s for sure, Mommy was hungry and needed to eat now. This time, I got a hamburger (I had to skip breakfast because of the contractions).
3pm – Daddy called a bunch of people including Auntie Meg and Uncle Jeff to tell them that you were born. He called Auntie Laurie and several others. Mommy doesn’t remember, but she did talked to Auntie Debbie Chamkasem and left a message for Auntie Carolyn Kong. Mommy was so exciting about meeting you that she doesn’t remember what she said to people that day. They let us hang out in the Labor and Delivery room for a little bit, but then we were transferred up to the recovery area on the 5th floor with new nurses. As we were being rolled out of the L&D area, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” was playing. Daddy had already taken our things up to the 5th floor, but Mommy and Grandma heard it.
5pm – We now went to our new area, but had to share a room with AJ and his mommy. He was a big cry baby and already Grandma knew we were in for it. AJ’s mommy was having a hard time with him. Grandma and Daddy were there and soon Great Grandma (Tai-Po), Great Great Aunt Judy and Great Auntie Jean came to visit you. Soon after, Grandpa came to visit from San Francisco. He had been busy at work because it was the start of tax season. Uncle Brian was golfing at the time, so he was not able to join Grandpa. So everyone was all together to meet you, but had to leave by 830pm at the end of visiting hours, even Daddy since we were sharing a room with AJ. Only Grandma was allowed to stay with us.
8pm – Daddy had his basketball league game and since he couldn’t stay overnight, didn’t want to miss the game.
9pm – I couldn’t sleep well because I was so worried about you (and AJ kept crying too). Your little bed was set up next to mine, and Grandma had to sleep in a fold out chair that turned into a bed. The nurses said they’d come in to check on your temperature in the middle of the night and do a hearing test. I was worried that I wouldn’t be awake when they took you (you have to make sure they are actually nurses and not just strangers coming to take you away). You were so good – you didn’t cry when AJ did, but when you were wet, you cried a little and really set AJ off! All of your diaper-changing supplies were contained in your bassinet. The nurses said you were a little cold, so they brought warmed blankets to make sure you didn’t get too cold. I had to wait until you were warmed up before I could feed you.
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
2am – The nurses said you passed your hearing test and everything was normal.
730am – Daddy came back to the hospital. I had eggs and potatoes for breakfast. We fed you, and then you were to get your circumcision that morning along with your bilirubin test. Daddy was planning on going with you for the procedure. Dr. Snitzer checked you out and told us what to expect with the procedure. You really liked him – you cried a little while he examined you (the stethoscope must have been cold), but then he picked you up and you were happy again. Dr. Snitzer said it would be ok to take you home or you could stay one more night if you wanted. We wanted to stay an extra night in case there was something wrong with your surgery site.
8am – Yie-Yie and Nai-Nai came to visit you before they left for LA.
1030am – Uncle Tony came to visit you for the first time. And then AJ’s family came by to take him home. Peace at last.
1130am – Daddy was supposed to go with you to the circumcision, but the nurse came to get him too late. You were already done and were all alone! We were sad for you. When you came back, Mommy’s co-workers Aunties Kathy, Michelle, Nhi and Julie came to visit you. You were very quiet because you were recovering from the procedure.
3pm – Therese, a lactation nurse, helped us feed you. You were a bit fussier today because of the procedure. It was expected (sort of how AJ was, but not nearly as bad). Lunch was very salty turkey with sweet potatoes (it wasn’t very good compared to the other food we had had). We hung out in the room 552 for awhile then asked for a private room. The nurses said there wasn’t anything available, but then Mommy told the nurses that she works for Kaiser and a private room (558) was opened. It was much better (although we had to share a bathroom). The other room ended up having 3 patients in it and was very crowded, so we’re lucky we got to move. Grandma and Daddy both stayed in the room.
630pm – Dinner. Daddy felt that you had abandonment issues since he wasn’t there at your procedure. Whenever you were sleeping in his arms, you’d open your eye (just one) to check that he was still there and then go back to sleep. You didn’t like the bassinet today. We had to keep holding you – it was getting tiring. Daddy was holding you to keep you quiet. Auntie Laurie and her mom, Mrs. Campbell came to visit around 7pm. They have given you lots of outfits – enough for the entire year!
Daddy, Mommy and Grandma were all there until 1230am, when the nurse found too many visitors in the room. She kicked Daddy out and he went home. You’re only supposed to have one person stay overnight. Grandma didn’t even know that Daddy went home!! Mommy held you through the night. Grandma said you sounded like AJ!! You weren’t that bad.
Thursday, February 9, 2006 – Going home!
8am – Therese came by to check with us to make sure you were doing well latching on. The doctors came to check out Mommy and also the pediatric nurse practitioner came to check you out. Everything was good so we were clear to leave around 10am.
10am – A volunteer came by with a wheelchair to take Mommy out and I carried you. Grandma and Daddy carried out our stuff. We put you in the car seat for the first time and you cried your head off! It was new for you. Once we started driving, you did better. Grandma sat in the backseat with you, your “backseat buddy”. We videotaped your arrival home, and once we got unpacked and situated, we found you didn’t like your crib. We had to keep holding you. We thought this was going to be a problem.
7pm – Uncle Kenny and Auntie Rachel came over for a visit. Mommy was tired and was sleeping when they arrived, but awoke to see them after a little bit. Then you needed to eat, so I fed you and then they left. Grandma stayed over your first night at home. Our first night at home wasn’t so bad, we woke up about every 2 hours to feed you. We weren’t sure that you’d wake up on your own to eat, so we set the alarm.
Friday, February 10, 2006 – We made it through the night!
Great Grandma (Tai-Po), Auntie Jean, and Uncle Gary came over today. We took pictures and Great Grandma brought chicken soup and rice. Grandma left with everyone else and then it was just you with Mommy and Daddy. We did ok our first night alone with you. We figured out how to get you in your crib – very slowly, setting you down while you were sound asleep and gently removing our arms. Only then would you sleep there by yourself.
Saturday, February 11, 2006 – We got up early to g to your Newborn Club appointment. You had not lost any weight since leaving the hospital, which was good. You weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces. (When you left the hospital, you weighed 7 pounds 11.8 ounces). We gave you your first bath today. You cried. You didn’t cry when we washed your hair, which was a surprise. You just didn’t like being naked.
Sunday, February 12, 2006 – Grandma drove down again to visit. She missed seeing you. Uncle Tony, Auntie Kyoko, Megan and Mason also came over to see you. Later, Uncle Kenny and Auntie Rachel (with whom we eat dinner almost once a week) came over and brought Maggiano’s. Auntie Suong was also here to meet you. We all had dinner together and watched the Olympics (they started on Friday, 2/10/06). Auntie Suong took pictures with you and your red wagon that Aunties Debbie, Debbie, Kathleen and Josephine sent on Saturday.