Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Our First Day Out...Alone

Casey and I went on our first outing alone on Friday the 19th. Since mommy got the all clear from the doctor the day before it seemed like a perfect day to take a trip to work and introduce the little guy to all of mommy's friends. Since the first round of layoffs was set to begin by the end of March I wanted to visit as I may never see some of my co-workers again in person.

I wasn't sure if we were going to go that day as it all depended on Casey's schedule and if I could get us out of the house quick enough between feedings. A 45 minute drive with a hungry child in the back seat would not have been pretty. Luckily, Casey decided to nap the whole way. YEAH!

I called ahead and arranged to use Lucilla's office to breastfeed him when we got there. Good thing too, Casey started crying as soon as I took him out of the car. We were delayed a couple of times as friends stopped us on the way into the building but they were quick to let us go and invite us to swing by later so they could get a better look at him. When we got to Lucilla's office Casey fed like a champ. He also introduced Lucilla to his other talents...pooping and farting. As Lucilla described it, it was like fireworks going off. Once he was fed and cleaned up we began our tour.

Lucilla carried him for the first few visits. Casey enjoyed being carried. Once we placed him in the car seat again he dozed off. Most of the rest of the visits he wasn't even aware of...except towards the end. He put on another show...with several onlookers, he showed them just how red his face could get. It was the source of much laughter and funny comments for us all. Richard wondered if his face got that red when he was grunting one out and Timothy sniffed around the stroller to determine if Casey had left any gifts or was just full of hot air. Dave's desk was going to be the designated changing table but Casey was just full of hot air so his desk was spared.

Visiting took us several hours and we still didn't see everyone. Hopefully we will have a chance to pay everyone another visit...possibly in May if not sooner.

Our day ended with another breastfeeding in an empty office and a visit from Dianne. Dianne compared feet with Casey...she's got small feet! Once Casey was again fed and cleaned up then away we went. Casey dozed off again and napped the whole way home. WOO HOO!

Overall, our first outing went very smoothly. It was great seeing everyone! Casey was great! Next time mommy will actually take pictures.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Perspective

You have heard about our the experience from my perspective, and from mom' s perspective. I thought you would like to get an idea of life from Casey's POV...

You're storing me in a laundry basket? "Hey, these better be clean clothes!"

"I dont care what people say, my daddy is good for something... He's makes comfy bed"


"So does mommy. These pillows are soft!"


"I'm having a staring contest with daddy."

"Oh yeah, head massage. Dont stop daddy."

"My eyes are gettin heavy, umm, cant keep them open..."
"That felt good, I'm out"




Monday, March 16, 2009

Visit

This weekend, Nai-Nai and Ye-Ye made the trek from San Diego to visit their grandson (and son, I guess). By all accounts, it was a pleasant trip on the Amtrak Surfliner. They get to the house, we have bite to eat and then...

KC goes to sleep. What do you think happens next? Casey says, "Hey, big KC has a good idea."

"Hey Nai-Nai, I'm gonna take a nap, and your not, nanner, nanner!"
With that, Casey joins KC...



They did manage to stay awake long enough to take a few family photos.




Sunday, March 15, 2009

Milestones Part II

Here we go again. I'm gonna tell ya'll about another milestone. I know what you are thinking; but surprise, surprise, this post has nothing to do with PJ's bodily functions.

According to the published literature, they have decided that at this point in a kids life, you can safely introduce bottle feeding... one bottle every week or so. What kind of research goes into recommendations like this? Do they do long-term observations? IE: is there any correlation between feeding a one-month old 2 bottles (gasp) in the same week and alcohol abuse in his 30's?? or 40's?? Something about getting hooked on bottles? Maybe I'll crash an AA meeting and start some scientific research. "Hi, my name is Phil, and I have a problem. I want to feed my kid more than one bottle a week..."

Anyhow, going into this event, we are a little concerned, what if PJ doesnt like a bottle. Until now, he has been fed exclusively via breast. Now that I think about it, if you're used to getting some of that, and suddenly its no longer an option, a bottle might be a letdown.

We have planned for the worst. Supposedly, the mom isn't supposed to be around for this, so we planned to have Nai-Nai around for backup. So, trying to keep the same feeding routine, I start by checking his diaper. Its a poopy diaper! So I get a wipee, and when I touch his butt with it, he crys... loud. To be fair, that wipee was COLD. I'd be pissed too, if someone touched my butt with something that cold. Sorry buddy! Anyway, there was some stuff caked on, so I had to scrub and rub a little. I think I even had to get my fingernail involved to do some scraping... Anyhow, with that out of the way, nothing is left except the bottle.

I lay him down in my lap, trying to approximate the position mom uses when she feeds him. I'm just hoping he doesnt try to latch on to me! I have heard that is painful, and if I wanted to experience that stuff, I'd just take a binder clip to my nipple..

He's laying there, and I bust out the bottle... and he just stares at it, with a curious/ confused look on his face. I'm thinking "Uh oh". So I do like I see mommy do, and I shove his face into it... He latches on and starts sucking! I could see his expression change from "WTF to Oh yeah!" in about 2 seconds flat... Dude shallowed that bottle like it was a shot glass. Hmm, is there AA in our future?

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Milestones!

I am told that part of having a baby is the joy of witnessing and experiencing milestones. Like the first time jr says 'mommy' or 'daddy'... Or the first time he walks. I want to share my experience of witnessing and participating in a Casey milestone!

Its about 6pm on Thurs, and I just finished a long day at work. I come home, and Pup is feeding Casey. They get done, and I try to burp him. Mom takes the opportunity to go and take a shower. Its just me and Casey. He's sitting in my lap, we're just chillin' watching some basketball together. And he starts with 'PPPFFFTTT'. By now, I know what this is. Its his special watery, bubbly, airy, gaseous spray. I'm wondering if my lap got nailed. I'm about to move and find out, when.... I catch a whiff!!!

Whoever said that newborn 'gifts' dont stink is full of 'PPPFFFTT'. We've hit a MILESTONE! This is the first of the Casey specials that have melted my nosehairs. I would have settled for witnessing this milestone, but NO, I had to participate. Curious me, just as the stench arrived at my nostrils, I had to know... did I get nailed? So I take my hand, feel under his butt... Yup, I got nailed. Its wet. So, I do what any rational human would do.. I grab HIS blanket and spread it in between his butt and my lap. I know, I'm a bad parent.

Now I feel bad, I can't just leave him stewing in that 'stuff'. I gotta do the right thing and change his diaper. I open that badboy up, and its filled to the brim! These diapers are an engineering marvel. I've seen expensive gaskets and hose fittings that leak more than these diapers. True, my hand was wet, but after I saw the volume that was held back by the diaper I'm OK with a little wet. This thing was like a dam; and I'm thankful I wasnt that little town downstream that got washed away when the dam gives way...

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Random Photos


Angelo and Elias


Primos

One Eye Open


Tia Natal


Looks like you guys are ready for one of your own!

Show off!





Wednesday, March 4, 2009

One-month celebration

As I have alluded to a few times before, having a baby is a learning experience. PJ was born on 2-3-09, thus on 3-3-09, he celebrated his one month birthday. Here is where the learning part comes in. Evidently, in Chinese culture, there is a big celebration at the one-month mark. See, I'm learning about my culture. (And yes, contrary to popular belief, I AM Chinese) Anyhow, according to the watered down, white-boy version I am undoubtedly getting, in Buddhist or Taoist families, (As far as I know, we are neither), on the morning of the baby's 30th day, sacrifices are offered to the gods, so the gods will protect the child throughout his life. So, this got me thinking, 'Well, hell, oops, maybe I shouldnt use that word here, we did sacrifice sleep, and lots of it.' Somehow, I dont think thats what they had in mind...
Reportedly, tradition also dictates that a red boiled egg be rubbed on the baby's forehead. The significance of the color red is that in Chinese culture, red is a sign of happiness.
I'm walking on egg-shells here, (pun intended); I really dont want to offend anyone's religious and cultural beliefs, but I'm thinking for MY chinese baby, the color red doesnt mean happiness. The only time the color red is associated with this baby is when his face turned COMPLETELY RED when he is trying SO HARD to grunt one out. What the hell (oops, there it goes again) is happy about the pain associated with trying to grunt one out? I'm being serious here. Has there been any evidence of newborns sustaining a brain aneurism whilst trying to take a giant dump?