another day goes by

So every day zips by faster than ever. And the baby grows up. Now he laughs, grabs, holds stuff with both hands, puts stuff in his mouth, drools, scraches my face, follows movements of people and things, takes soother in and out of his mouth, sleeps less, bubbles away and so on. And I have more laundry to do, have to wash his bottles, changes his diaper, remember when I fed him and how much, pick his clothes, and make sure he has a hat, socks, and warm jacket, then of course I have to dress myself for the weather also. So of course I forget things, I forget to put lipstick on, or to take gloves or sunglasses. They are not as important. I forgot about running pretty much. I just have to remember that there's enough diapers and milk for him. I keep track of how much he's eating or sleeping. My friends ask me how I'm adjusting to being a mother, and I answer that I guess I'm doing all right because he's healthy and thriving. He seems happy most of time. A kid grows up so fast because the time goes by so much faster. There was never enough time before, now there is really no time for anything. So I may forget to take care of myself, call my friends, or do a little cooking I thought I could do if he took a long nap, which is rare these days. But he chuckles and smiles every morning and for the time being that's all what matters to me.
...on february 2, 2010 @ 12:25 am

My amazing baby is growing up

Taiyo is already learning to fall asleep without my help- what he needs are a pacifier and a pillow to press his face against. This makes my life a little bit easier, but at the same time, it makes me sad a little like he's already saying, "Mommy, I'm ok without you." It reminds me of a comment I heard from a mother in the neighborhood a few months back, "They grow up so fast it's depressing." That time her daughter was seven months old. The other day another mother of 20-year old told me, "Being a parent is about giving- you give, give, give and don't get too much back." But what else can you do, besides to give everything you possibly can and to hope that he'll be your best friend at the end? It's an investment with risk, the same as life in general. But a baby is pure joy, which I share with so many people every day. A baby always puts smile on people's faces. It's just so much fun to make him giggle- makes me forget about everything. So forgive me if I forget to make more green tea rice krispie treats tomorrow.
...on january 21, 2010 @ 12:17 am

Life with a baby

Life with a baby is a life that you must have an absolute commitment and dedication to another life, one which is quite strong and amazing but at the same time so helpless. He cannot eat, dress, change, feed or entertain himself. So you spend all day helping this little wonderful breathtaking creature by feeding, changing, entertaining, talking, rocking. That's how I spent my extra days off around the holidays. By now I learned how to eat standing up white rocking him in a sling, to answer phones and write emails while breastfeeding, and to forget what used to matter to me, including running, biking, staying up late writing, going out, and so on. Now my first concern is to keep him calm enough so I won’t go insane. But all my effort is rewarded every night with the angelic sleeping face and every morning with the best ever smile, just for me to see. During a little time off finally I was able to develop some pictures from the past three months, including the ones from his early days like this, and amazed again to see how much progress he's made. He's outgrowing more clothes every week and I began to shop for a year old. As hard as it seems some nights, when I spend the whole hour putting him to sleep, the life with a baby is such a trip. So many strangers talk to me these days when I'm out with him. Other mothers begin to share their stories at the laundromat. Shopkeepers who hardly talked to me before always greets us with warm smile now. They all want to know how he sleeps at night, and I'm proud to answer, "he sleeps like a baby!" My new year's resolution: take every holiday off and more, and enjoy sleeping late with him.
...on january 10, 2010 @ 01:38 am

Taiyo, the SOY baby

Almost three months later, Taiyo is fast growing. In this picture at Thanksgiving, he was a tad smaller than my 15-pound turkey, but now he already doubled his birth weight. He's already fitting into 6-months olds' clothing. These days he's busy talking in Teletabbish language- he's probably totally making sense in his own world. Everyday he's busy talking, smiling, laughing, entertaining everyone around him. On our shopping round, he's greeted with lots of smiles and affection- it's amazing how people love to see a baby like they've never seen one! Although of course he is a real cutie. (of course mommy thinks so.) He spends most of the time at the restaurant with me. Mark even takes him to a delivery sometimes. All my employees enjoys tickling him to make him smile. Tomomi said his smile is so cute, it gives her goosebumps. My friends and customers sometimes stop by just to hug him. Erin admits that my baby is so addictive. Some days are hard, but some days are easy, and fortunately he's mostly a good sleeper. Some nights he spends a few hours at Nana Rosa who calls him "Papi." The air is getting cold, but he's taking it pretty well, like his mommy, and we'll be ready to go running as soon as I get my jogging stroller. Yes, he's already the famous SOY baby!
...on december 15, 2009 @ 01:49 am

my little sunshine

Boy, I have forgotten to write an entry for a while. It's all his fault. His name is Taiyo, "the Sun" in Japanese. I spent the past month in a fuzz- there was no day and night, and many days I've spent not really doing anything but looking at him, and caring for him. We had a few weeks of luxury with no work, for much needed recovery and adjustment for new life. It keeps going, and it keeps changing. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to do everything. But my belly shrunk nicely, and I'm going around on my bicycle again. He is already one month old and people tell me that the time goes so fast, he will grow so fast that I won't remember anything. True, all the inconvenience and discomfort of pregnancy was quickly forgotten by the traumatic process of childbirth, and even that memory of unbelievable pain is fading. I was totally overwhelmed by the arrival of crying baby in the first week, but by second week I learned that his piercing cry didn't mean that he was in excruciating pain like I was when I was crawling around the floor in the delivery room. I have not paid much attention to the outside world these days and realized this morning that the leaves changed colors overnight. No, I won't be running the marathon next week. That's ok, I'll enjoy sleeping late on sundays for a while.
...on october 23, 2009 @ 06:49 pm

count down!

I've been saying "Any day now!" for two weeks, but there's still no clear sign. Physically so ready to crack my bump open, but psycologically and emotionally I don't feel ready at all. "Is he going to be really cute?" I keep wondering. "I hope he's not going to have freaked out eyes some babies have. Even then, is he going to be cute to me?" Finally ordered a crib and some other baby supplies and waiting for their arrival. Hope they make it before he comes. While browsing, I always end up looking at other unnecessary items like "Halloween costume." But they are darn cute and the companies know to make us come across them before we get to the real stuff we need to get. Yea, this pea-in-a-pod costume would be too perfect for my cute baby! Fighting for the temptation. Real stuff first, like pump-band and such.
...on september 17, 2009 @ 10:36 pm

Must have!

At this morning's check-up, the midwife confirmed that he is in position and getting low. The day is approaching to meet him! While I am trying to get ready, I came across this fabulously ridiculous product - Made by Moms Pumping Band! "Now moms can read a book, talk on the phone or simply sit back and relax while pumping." What an invention! With this I'd be able to pump and work at the same time! Would someone buy me one?
...on september 4, 2009 @ 09:17 pm