Daycare

Today Ely and I visited the daycare that Ely will be going to and met with the child care provider (MB) who will be watching Ely. Luckily Ely woke up when we got to the daycare and was very good while MB held him. He starred at her with his big brown eyes and after awhile, he fussed a little bit. When I held him, he babbled on and on as if he was telling me all about his new encounter with MB. He makes the cutest expression when he says "o". He babbles at home but this was the first time he made eye contact and was very concentrated as he was talking to me for a long period of time.

Everyone in his class was taking a nap so MB was able to give us her full attention. After awhile though, the babies woke up one by one and she was busy again..

It was fun to see the little chart they have of the babies and their accomplishments and quirky things they can do. Zoey is able to sing herself to sleep while Caden likes to babble to other babies. All of the babies are much older than Ely and looking at the chart gave me something to look forward to.

On our way home from the day care, Ely babbled all the way home. He did get hungry towards the end of the ride and started to cry. I had to calm him down by "shh-ing" all the way home (it worked!). Ely konked out once he got home (still sleeping after a quick feeding). He may be dreaming about all of the new babies he will meet very soon.

Here is Ely's take on the day's events:

Our first road trip!

We were excited to meet our friends, Paj, Lisa, and Jadie, at the Roozengarde and finally see the tulips that we had been waiting for. Lisa had invited us to join them at the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley and kept us posted about the tulips. After weeks of waiting, the tulips at the Tulip Festival was finally starting to blossom so we made plans to meet at the Roozengarde on Sunday.

It was the perfect weather for a road trip on Sunday. It had drizzled at our house the night before so I was a bit worried about the weather. We planned to leave the house at 7:00 am to "bit the traffic" and be at the Roozengarde at 9:45am. We were expecting a 2 1/2 hour road trip to the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley. By the time we left the house, it was 7:20. We were running behind schedule but we were still very proud of leaving the house so early (this was our first early outing). We had expected some traffic going up north but the roads were completely clear. We got to the Roozengarde at 9:00 am. Ely was very good and slept to the entire ride.

As we waited for our friends to arrive, Ely went through two diaper changes and a feeding. Around 9:15, we noticed that people were alreay walking back to their cars. We kept wondering why people were done so quickly.

We met Paj, Lisa, and Jadie in the Roozengarde. We walked around the garden and took some pictures. Roozengarde is a small tulip garden. There was lot of different variety of tulips but not in huge quantities. I guess I was expecting something from Butchart Gardens and sort of expected our $4 entrance fee to stretch a little more.

Luckily, our entrance fee granted us free access to the open tulip fields nearby. We walked through the tulip fields and took some more pictures. It was nice to have another family with us so that we could have a picture of the three of us. We didn't take any cheezy pictures like some of the people at the garden. There was an old Asian couple who took pictures by every single tulip variety at the Roozengarde and a lady laid down in the tulips fields.

After the tulip fields and another quick feeding, we headed over to a small town, LaConner. LaConner reminded us of Cannon Beach, Oregon. It had a mixture of small shops and restaurants. After lunch Lisa and I browsed in some small shops while the dads watched the babies. It was a rare treat to shop without worrying about the babies. As we walk around LaConner, Lisa and I chatted away while the dads pushed the stroller. It was funny to see them pushing the stroller as the two dads chatted away (at one point they even wore matching backpacks). After some shopping, we had some ice cream. It was the perfect weather for ice cream.

Soon the babies started to "root" for food and it reminded us that it had been already nearly two hours since their last feeding. After a quick diaper change and some more pictures, we headed back to our cars to feed our little babies. Ely finally decided to wake up when we were ready to go home. His eyes were open wide and I think he was wondering...."I'm awake now, what's the plan for today? I had a dream that we were at a tulip field".

Something funny

Tired Daddy:
"Has Ely been sleeping through the night?"

Day at a dentist's office-
Today I took Ely with me for my teeth cleaning. It is usually 30 minutes so I thought Ely would be okay. We were doing fine until I got settled in and had to get x-rays taken so Ely had to go into an office next to us. Sure enough, Ely started to cry. Luckily he wasn't loud but the nice dentist took Ely around in the stroller. When I was done with the X-rays, the dentist came by with Ely and Ely wasn't sleeping. His eyes were open wide and was starring at the dentist. I think Ely liked him or his white gown. Either that or he was wondering who this stranger was.

Day at a baby store-
A lady with a little baby girl comes by Ely and asked if his head size was "off the charts". Her baby girl was 4 months old but Ely was twice her size. I thought how it was rude of her to say that about Ely but she quickly told me that her older boy's head size was off the charts but her girl's head size is very small. I think she had been concerned about the head size or something. I started a conversation with her about carriers (I had gone to look at an Ergo carrier) and she turned out to be a nice lady.

After all of my research and trying on various carriers, I ended up with an Ergo carrier. Why? It was the right price ($20 off) and it was more comfortable than any other carrier I've tried (Beco, Pikkolo, Belle, Bjorn, ring, and sling). The biggest difference is the backpack like shoulder straps.

I also got "the" green Kelty 2.1 backpack carrier for $60 (vs. 120) that I've been eyeing on Ebay for more $.

Once I got home, poor Ely had to put up with me trying to put him in the Ergo and the Kelty. He was very patient with me.

Little thing I am thankful for:
Being able to drive in carpool lane.
Being able to dress Ely in baby blue (it's my favorite color).
Being able to fit into pre-pregnancy jeans (despite the muffin top).
Being able to sleep 3-4 hours at night.
Having a very laid back mellow baby.
Not having to change dirty #2 in the middle of the night.
The nice weather.
Being able to spend time with Ely 24-7.

Carrier cont.

As I've been thinking about it more as and I noticed that when I carried Ely even in a thin sling carrier, he and I got quite warm, I contemplated whether a Beco, Pikkolo, or Ergo would be too thick for the warmer weather. I would like to be able to carry Ely in the warmer weather and make sure that he doesn't get overheated. It would be difficult to keep him cool in a Beco or Pikkolo since they are all padded.

Ergobaby came out with a new carrier that would solve the overheating issue as well as my concern about Ergo carriers (not supporting the upper body fo the baby).

Ergobaby Sport Carrier $94 - New Jan. 2009

-Waist belt extends an additional 5 inches from 30 inches to a maximum of 48 inches
-Can be used from infancy (with Infant Insert) to 40lbs - once the baby is 4 months or 15 lbs you don't need the infant insert.
-Waist belt extends an additional 5 inches

It’s made from a blend of cotton and polyester to improve moisture wicking from you and your child to keep both more comfortable.

-The carrier's body features a vent to provide extra breathability, keeping both baby and parent cooler.

Anything for you Ely!

Very recently I fed Ely out in public. Usually I feed Ely in the car or in the women's lounge of the mall. Last weekend I fed Ely in the back of Pottery Barn Kids and also out in the open at U-village. Thank goodness for hooter hiders! I may need a big poncho if Ely keeps up with his demands to feed him "right away" and crying like he hasn't eaten in days.

Today we met up with Lisa and Jadie for an early movie date. Earth was a good movie. I am glad that they kept away from showing any bloody scenes and Ely was too young to what was going on. Just like daddy, Ely slept through most of the movie. I was also very glad that Ely kept his #2 to a minimum and not his usual 10:30 explosions. :0)

Ely and the vibrater...

Ely loves the aquarium vibrater. He had the funniest look on his face starring at the bubbles.



Here is Toby taking over Ely's moses basket (Ely outgrew it).

Carrier?

I've been researching about carriers (a ton!).
Here's some information to save time if your are looking for a carrier.

A carrier that is a variation of Mai Tei seems to be popular. Ergo is also popular and I see a lot of people using it but I think it also has to do with the availability of it. The other carriers - Beco Butterfly 2 and Pikkolo are harder to find. Bjorn is also popular but it is for babies up to 25 lbs. The other three carriers are for babies up to 40-45 lbs. Both Bjorn and Ergo can be found on Craigslist and Ebay at a good price.

It's best to try on the carriers first to see which one works best for your body. [See Baby & Family Boutique at the Evergreen Hospital]http://www.evergreenhealthcare.org/womens/familycenter/boutique.htm]

Then.....find it online much cheaper. Beco, Ergo, and Pikkolo is $100+ (with tax). You can save a lot by shopping online.

Compare Beco Butterfly 2, Pikkolo, Patapum, Ergo, and Bjorn.
http://www.theportablebaby.com/carrierfeatures.html

Beco Butterfly 2 - $139
Similar to Pikkolo
:)There are many more cute prints.
Easier to put baby on your back.
:( Cannot face baby forward.
Make sure you buy the new "2" version. The older one had a recall due to faulty buckles.
How to use it:
http://www.becobabycarrier.com/docs/instruction.pdf

Mckinley Kidz has good deal on organic carriers:
Regular - $139 vs $118
Organic - $159 vs $118
http://www.mckinleykidz.com/catalog.php?sale=yes

Sign up your email and save 5%. $119
http://www.babysnazz.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=43&zenid=c97a4342158a98ff0a7c9fe3de023e24

Pikkolo - $129
:) Can face baby forward. Once the baby is 25lbs you need to have the baby on your back anyways so it may not be a big deal that you cannot face the baby forward.
Cheaper than Beco.
Memory foam shoulder pads.
Adjustable infant sitting area.
:( The prints are not as cute.
How to use it:
http://www.theportablebaby.com/pikkolo.html
Pikkolo $109
http://www.mamakanga.com/babycarriers_18/buckle-carriers.htm

Pikkolo $99 Flame
http://www.mamakanga.com/babycarrier_105/pikkolo-Baby-Carrier-Spa.htm

Pikkolo $99 Square
http://store.metrominis.net/catalog.php?item=9

Ergo - $105
:) Cheaper - find it on Ebay (around $80).
:( The design is not as cute.
When the baby is on your side or your back, the upper body is not supported very well. Have you ever seen someone with a bigger child on their side or back? I saw it once and the baby was wobbling side to side.

Cheapest I've found - $150 for a 4 item set in Hawaiian Summertime print
http://www.shatilagifts.com/catalog/339-ergobaby---4-item-set---hawaiian-summertime-handsfree-system-ERGObaby---Hawaiian-Summertime-HandsFree-System

Ely is 2 months old today!

Ely is 2 months old today. Time is going by fast! Ely is growing lots and amusing us with the new things he does.

We went to the Dr.'s today for Ely's 2-month checkup. The Dr. asked if Ely was smiling at mommy and daddy and I told him that he doesn't do it very often. Sure enough just as I said this, Ely looked at me with a huge smile. :) Ely got his shots today and he was very brave. Once we got him home, he is waking up from his sleep and crying a bit. He also pouts and looks very sad. Poor guy. The nurse gave him two shots on one leg so it must be hurting a lot.

Lately, Ely has been taking baths in the tub and showers. Once he pee'd in the tub and another time he pooped in the tub (we hurried out the tub after that!). After going to a class and learning about bathing with babies, I tried it out with Ely. I had been afraid to let Ely's ears under water but evidently it's fine. Babies also can float naturally as long as you support their heads. So there I was letting Ely float and swooshing him around from side to side. At one point, Ely fell asleep and seemed very relaxed.

At 2 months Ely is:

Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz - 50 percentile
Length: 24 inches - 75-90 percentile
Head Circumference: 16.5 inches - 95 percentile (Ely's head is growing lots.....big head [literally] sort of runs in the family....)

This month Ely:
Found his hand (very recently)
Slept 4 hours one night
Woke up every 2 hours at night
Didn't sleep until 2am
Ate 8 oz over 3 hours
Smiled at mommy and daddy
Starred at people
Babbled to daddy & his buddy monkey

This month Toby:
Tried to bury Ely's diaper in a blanket.

It's been really exciting to watch Ely grow. We're looking forward to him seeing us in color when he is 4 months old. I wonder what he'll be thinking.....

Ely's found his hand!

Today, Ely found his hand and was sucking on it. It is pretty funny to watch him manuvure his hand around his face to get it in his mouth.

Bye bye Randy.....

Today is a sad day....Randy passed away in his sleep. It's sad to see him go...but I am glad that he went peacefully in his sleep. He ate his favorite treat - sweet potatoe for the last time.

He was the first dog I got with my allowance. We got him before the huge "yo-quero taco bell" craze.

He was once bitten by a husky and the vet told us to be prepared because he wasn't going to survive the night. After feeding him lots of chicken and nursing, he came back strong. He also stole some of my dad's bhoo-yahk (Chinese herb medicine roots) and we believe that was also why he was so healthy.

When I got married and left with my belongings, he sat by the driveway and cried. He refused to eat and waited for me. He soon recovered and kept my parents occupied with his silly antics.

Randy was a small chihuahua but with lots of joy and spunk. He gave our famiy lots of laughs, happiness, and memories.

We'll miss you Randy (named after Randy Johnson).

August 2005 - April 2009

Hello Sunshine!

The weather has been awesome. I've heard that the sunglasses sell very well in Seattle. I think it's because we don't see the sun very much and when we do, we are blinded by it. We've taken advantage of the nice weather. One day we went to Gene Coulon park in Renton. FYI - do no attempt to walk to the Landing from the park. It's further than it seems. We then met up with little Jadie at Greenlake. It was very nice to sit on the grass and enjoy the nice spring breeze. Oh how I love spring!!!!!

Cherry blossom

We went to UW to check out the cherry blossoms on Saturday. There was ton of people there (mostly Asians & lots of kids). We also took Ely on a long walk. After all of the activities, we were looking forward to Ely sleeping more through the night. Unfortunately, he still woke up in 3 hours, and every two hours.

Chubby cheeks

Updates:
I successfully changed Ely's diaper in the car.
Ely's cheeks are filling up.
Saw both grandparents in one day.

I was able to sneak a clip of these two taking a nap