4 month check up

Having fun playing with the toy
in her bumbo

Baby ellie's 4 month stats:
Weight: 14lb10.5oz (75th percentile)
Height: 26in (95th percentile)
Head circumference: 16in (25-50th percentile)

Yes, she has almost doubled her birth weight! Definitely a big girl. ;-)

She also had 2 shots at the doctor's office. She had a fever after the shots though, and mommy didn't sleep very much because of that. She was fussy and would not sleep in the crib. But she is all better now.

Mommy is going back to work day after tomorrow, and baby will go to day care for the first time. Hope everything will be fine and she'll get used to it soon. *finger-crossed*

Good progress!

Healthy sleeping habit, happy baby!

Baby has graduated from her bottle training. She can now take a bottle with no problem at all after a couple days of intensive training (meaning bottle-only during the day). Poor mommy had been pumping all day for a few days. Daddy asked me why I was pumping all the time... sigh. Anyways, this is a big relief since day care is starting next week.

As for sleep training, she is now able to go to sleep on her own for both naps and bed time. Mommy usually turns on the music, put her in the pack and play and she will fall asleep with almost no crying. Way to go, baby girl! I think the music is not necessary but I think it's kind of soothing. I will try to take it off within the next couple of days. The only problem is that she usually only naps for 45mins to an hour. And because of the short nap time, I am not able to get her on a 3 nap schedule yet. It's great progress nonetheless. I am very proud of her.

sleep training, bottle-training

Time is running out... Mommy is going back to work in a few weeks. Before then, I would like baby to have a somewhat routined nap/feed schedule, and also want to make sure she can take bottles.

So far, she can take bottles, but not without at least a few minutes of crying and protesting. Sometimes I feel really bad, hearing her cry breaks my heart... I'm trying to do 2 bottles per day and hopefully by the time I return to work, she will feel more comfortable with it.

Sleep training is a bit smoother comparatively. She now sleeps from 8pm to 7:30am or so and usually wakes up twice middle of the night and I'll nurse her and she would go right back to sleep. Her bedtime routine includes a bath and then book. I tried to do a bottle right before bed, but she is always so sleepy after the bath and so I moved bottle feeding to before the bath. The first morning nap is usually on time, the rest of the naps are still irregular. She is now able to fall asleep on her own most of time within a few minutes of crying, and so I am pretty happy about it.

I am actually getting pretty stressed out with all these trainings. I wish I can cuddle her and spoil her all the time, but I know it is important for her to learn these things before daycare starts. Sorry baby - I hope you can understand.

No need to rush, mommy!

Relax, mommy!

As a mommy, sometimes I think I worry a little bit too much. Ellie was perfectly healthy but I would constantly worry whether she is hitting all the milestones and doing what she is supposed to be doing. When doctor told me that she should start social smiling at around 6 weeks, I was literally counting down the days and when she didn't smile on her 6 week birthday, I got anxious! I also got worried when she was crying hysterically during her tummy time and when she was showing no interest in the hanging toys on the play mat.

Mommy, baby will grow up at her own pace! There is no need to rush! Let her be a baby and stop worrying...

Of course I know it now because she is finally pushing herself up and smiling when I put her on her tummy and enjoy touching the toys on the play mat. =)

Pictures pictures!

I've taken toooooooo many pictures since baby was born. Not surprisingly, 99% of them were baby pictures and mostly, of course, her big head shots. However, once in a while I would remember how much I appreciate the simple joy of living and the beauty of nature, and I would take some pictures to capture the good times and memories.

Enjoying a walk in my old neighborhood with baby (gas work park)

Awesome fall color (fremont by the canal)

My favorite burger place - Blue moon!

On top of the kite hill of gas work park

Hanging out by the lake (Marina park in Kirkland)

mini-halloween party in the office

Mommy dressed baby up and brought her back to the office for halloween. We met with other babies and kids around the office and had a fun time. It's good to see my friends again after I've been gone for so long. 

Baby ellie was friendly with everyone at first and then got tired and became a little fussy. Too bad mommy was too busy chatting with everyone and only very few pictures were taken. Oh well, baby has no idea what halloween is about yet. It should be a lot more fun for her next year!

Baby friend Francis

First time for ellie to meet Francis!

Francis, the cute little boy of Noriko and Sam, is only 2 days older than ellie. Rian and I met Noriko and Sam first at the birth class and again at the breastfeeding class.  Then, we bumped into each other again at the hospital. I was just admitted at the hospital at the time and they were about to take baby Francis home.

Time flies! They are both 3 months old now. Wish both of them a wonderful childhood!

My favorite activities as a 3 month old

Smiling at my smiley toys.

I love smiling and especially at toys with bright colors and a smiley face! I also like to see new faces and often smile at people mommy and I met when we go out and about.

Taking a walk with mommy.

I love looking at things like trees and lights. I like sitting in the baby carrier when mommy walks. I usually get really comfy in the carrier and just nap on mommy's chest.

Story time.

When mommy and daddy read to me, I get really excited and will keep kicking the book while reading - yeah I know.. cooing - along loudly with them. Just recently mommy let me sit in the bumbo when we do our story time.

Doing chores with mommy.

Mommy just discovered that I like to be facing out in the carrier. She will now let me take the front seat when she does chores around the house. It is super fun and I do not let myself fall asleep in that position no matter how tired I am.

Wrestling with baby tigger? well, at least mommy would like to think so... =)

I love chewing my hands

Baby ellie loves to chew on her hands, especially the right hand (does that mean she'll be  right-handed?). I don't let her use pacifiers, so I guess this is a good thing. She would sooth herself to sleep occasionally.
It appears that she recently discovered that she has hands, and sometimes she would stare at them for a really long time. She also likes to put her hands together when I feed her.
She doesn't really bat at or grab things yet.  But, last night, daddy put a toy crab on her belly, and she grabbed the legs of the crab successfully - though unintentionally, and held on to it for a couple minutes. Cute! =)

Love my right hand!

Successfully grabbed a toy for the 1st time!

First laugh!

Last night we were trying her lady bug costume on ellie.  As we were undressing her, daddy was messing with her... and she started to laugh uncontrollably! And he tried again, and she laughed again...! The same reaction repeated for like 4 or 5 times and mommy rushed to get camera, and got a little bit of it. Hehe.. She soon noticed the camera and stopped to fall for the trick. =P

***

"Mama, Dada, what is my name short for?" ellie asked in her cute and  innocent voice.
"My dear, ", daddy responded with a serious face, "it is short for 'elephant'."

Haha... this is from daddy rian...

Happy baby ^^

2 month check up

Baby tigger getting some love from daddy

Date: 10/5/2010
Weight: 12 lb 10 oz (75-90)
Hieght: 23 1/4 in (75-90)
Head circumference: 15 in (25)

Big girl! She took 2 shots this time. She cried really loud during and after the shots. It was so difficult to see her such a little baby to go through this. But I am really proud of her. She did well during the day and was a little more fussy than normal the following day.

I got big eyes!

Baby's first playdate

Last Sunday ellie had her first playdate - well, they didn't really play together that much (Katie was only  4 weeks old, ellie was 9). But it's the first nonetheless..haha.  Thanks Eva and David for letting our little one meet the big brother Martin and small sister Katie. We had a good time.

Hopefully little ellie will meet more baby friends soon!

Life as a stay-at-home-mom

Shopping with my little one @ bellevue square

Rian has gone back to work for over a week now. My life as a stay-at-home-mom (until I return to work) has also begun. Frankly, I would have never thought that I'd be doing this this time last year.  Last year at this time me and rian were still dating - having a child was a thought way too unrealistic.  I love kids, but then you will have to have a stable relationship first, and then progress to marriage, and then progress to the talk of having a baby... basically it is supposed to have a million steps involved before you can have a baby. Given the number of my previous failed relationships, I didn't think it would happen so fast. But it did! I guess we kinda fast tracked it. But if you have already found the love of your life, and the love is mutual, then why not?! I am happy about where I am at now =)


I feel so happy when she smiles at daddy
when daddy comes back home from work

Well, the life as a stay home mom is actually not that bad. On top of taking care of the baby (feeding, diaper changing, play time), the rest of the time is pretty much open to what I feel like - cleaning the house, laundry, cooking, taking a walk outside, and having lunch with friends are pretty much what I do now. I am not a super clean person, but I try to do a little bit at a time to make sure the house is safe enough for us to live in. Laundry, oh laundry, why having a little monster in the house increases the load that much? I have no idea! I like cooking, but with a baby that needs frequent care, it takes very good time management skill to be able to have the dinner ready by a certain time.  Going out is of course my favorite activity, though it also takes a lot of planning. I love having ellie in the baby carrier when I am out (I hate carrying the car-seat, so heavy, and I still haven't learned how to operate the stroller yet!). Usually she is very curious and will look around a lot, and I frequently got praises from people in the shopping mall, grocery store, or the park.  Though 9/10 comments are "Oh... Look at the hair!" Yep, I am very proud of my baby's hair =P

Baby's play time

So, I'd say it's better than I thought. I got bored sometimes but I also know that I will miss my little one so much when I have to go back to work. I am trying to enjoy this time as much as I can.



Baby's first time to Seattle waterfront after lunch with daddy

Mommy and baby enjoying the nice weather
at Pike Place market

A day in the park

It's been raining for several days already (such a short summer - this year is one of the coolest summer since the 80s), but there was a short sun break yesterday.  Mommy, daddy and baby went to have sushi for lunch (omg, so happy - it was the first sushi lunch since I was pregnant!) and then we took a walk in the Juanita bay park.  The weather was awesome.  Baby was in baby bjorn with daddy and mommy the whole time. Lucky baby!

Bottle-feeding

We have started to train ellie to take a bottle. This is a requirement for getting to day care, plus it is a good idea to let daddy to have more bonding time with the baby (he has been changing her diapers a lot, but I guess feeding is a more positive parenting experience...hehe..) and allow mama some more rest from time to time.

The first bottle feeding was actually last week when I had to go back to work for a few hours.  Little baby was super hungry by the time when daddy had the milk ready so she took the whole 3oz in a few minutes.

This week I have been more serious about having her be comfortable with bottles, and so I started pumping once a day.  Daddy has taken over the midnight feeding for 2 nights already.  It has been a little bit challenging - she would cry for a few minutes until she gave up and started to suck from the bottle. I hope that it'll be easier on her soon.  That will also make daddy's life easier as well.

I have to say that seeing her getting milk from elsewhere (I know it's still my milk) feels totally weird. Kinda like jealous... Some people described it as the feeling of husband cheating on you... not that bad to me. But I do feel bad because I know baby likes to nurse from my breast more.  I too love the nursing time with the baby - the serious look on her face when she is hungry, the very loud gulping noise when she eats, and how she passes out on me when she is full! love it love it... :)

Real smiles!

Baby ellie has finally started to smile at us - REAL SMILES, not reflexes when she is half sleeping! Not too many yet and very difficult to reproduce, but nonetheless, very sweet and cute! Mommy was really excited about this.  Mommy will try harder to make more funny faces to make baby smile more! =D

Baby party (9/4/2010)

Ellie met her "uncles" Levi and Zachary for the 1st time

We had a baby party about a week ago and we invited most of our friends over to meet baby ellie for the first time! Thanks everyone for coming and all the gifts. (I didn't realize that our house is a bit small and it was actually too crowded) Daddy made mini pizzas for the guests.  I have also prepared salad, sandwich and cookies.  I was happy to see my friends again after such a long time.  I was also very excited to find out my friend Namita is now 5 month pregnant.  Another baby friend for ellie... hehee.

Baby ellie was doing exceptionally well during the party.  She was awake and alert most of the time, helping mommy and daddy to socialize with our friends!

Ellie with auntie Joanna



My friend Gloria is moving back to Toronto.
Hopefully we can bring ellie to visit her soon!



1 month check up

Baby had her 1 month checkup yesterday.  Her latest measurement:

weight: 10 lb 4 oz (75-90 percentile) gained over 2 lbs since the 10 day appt!
height: 22 in (90-95 percentile)
head circumference: 14.5 in (25-50 percentile)

Tall girl with a relatively small head?! But the doctor said it's because she has a very round head. I guess that is good thing.. She has some baby acne on her face, neck, and shoulder.  Doctor said it's normal and will go away around 2 month. Other than that, she is doing very well.

I also have a very flexible neck!

Food coma

As with most newborns, baby ellie also has a serious food coma problem.  She would eat very well for a few minutes and then start falling asleep with a little bit of sucking and then finally crash out! It is so difficult to wake her up for the 2nd part of feeding. So difficult that I'd rather feed her more frequently than spending the time to wake up my sleepy baby...

Yes! Just got done eating!

In food coma...

sooooooo sleepy~ Zzzzzzzz...

New baby shopping list (minimalist's version)

Baby ellie sleeps soundly in my moby wrap

I am sort of a minimalist and been very careful about not to waste money on things not needed. I have done a lot of research before the baby was born, but I still ended up with some unused items.

Here is my list and hopefully it will help some other new mothers.

Here are the must-haves:
diapers (a lot! newborn sizes)
baby wipes (a lot!)
onesies/one-pieces (at least 6)
nicer outfits (2)
receiving blankets (~4)
bath towels (2)
wash cloths (~6)
cloth diapers (can be used for various purposes such as burp cloths, ~6)
baby bath soap
nail scissors

crib (or pack and play/bassinet)
crib sheets (2)
infant car seat (maybe good to have an extra base)
stroller
baby bath tub
bouncer (so I can put the baby down)
diaper bag with changing pad
baby carrier (moby, maya or bjorn - I have all 3 thanks to family members!)
extra changing pad (useful if you are not changing her on a changing table all the time)

disposable nursing pads (Lansinoh)
nursing bras (a couple before baby is born and more after)
breast pump (medela)
Lansinoh nipple cream
nursing pillow (I have boppy but everyone says my breast friend is better)

What I got from hospital (Overlake) - i.e., things you don't have to buy
suction bulb
hair brush
hats
thermometer

Everything else is optional! New babies don't need a lot of things. All they do everyday is eat, sleep, and poop/pee! Don't fall into any marketing traps!

One last piece of advice - don't buy too many clothes! You will get a lot from families and friends. Baby clothes are so cute and it's difficult for people to resist =P

Chinese 1 month dinner party

In the chinese culture, 1 month old is a really big milestone for a newborn.  According to my dad, the 1 month party is more or less like a wedding in scale, and much bigger than all the subsequent birthdays for the child.  Relatives and friends will meet the baby for the first time at the party, and red eggs/pig feet will be distributed to them as gift to celebrate the big day.

My family left on 8/18/2010, so we had our chinese 1 month old dinner on the 17th (although she was not quite 1 month yet) at King's restaurant. I have also invited some of my close friends (thanks for coming).  Lots of food! half of that is still in my fridge!

Thanks everyone for coming to the dinner

Family pic!

Picture with Grandma and Grandpa

She is official!

A few days ago we picked up our mail and some of them was for "Ellie Lowrey". Hehe.. As a first time mommy, this certainly made me excited! =) That includes her social security card and her health insurance card. Yup! She now has a SSN and she is official!

Seriously?! over 100 diapers per week!

Hey Mommy, I am still a baby - plus peeing
and pooping is critical to my well-being ^_^

When I was still pregnant, rian has considered using cloth diapers - so much for that! Ellie can seriously consume more than 100 diapers per week. Our landlord bought us a giant box of diapers from cosco (216 count), and I thought it should last for a while, but, no no, she finished it in 2 weeks! There have been many feedings that she will need to go through 3 or 4 diapers, before feeding, in between breast, after feeding.  I imagine my life would be pretty miserable without disposable diapers!