Snuddle Time Playdoh and TP

We found the solutions to Isaac's sleep problems, extra snuggle (or snuddle) time. Since Kent began spending an extra 10 mins every evening snuggling and talking to Isaac, he stays asleep and in bed all through the night. It's wonderful!

He's also added a morning snuddle session when he gets up first thing and comes into the room to crawl into bed with me. At first it was a little irritating, but now it's become my favorite thing. He tucks his cold little feet up against my legs, wriggles in close and once he's settled he'll doze for 10-15 mins. I watched him this morning, twitching a little in his sleep. He's so beautiful and it amazes me that God has given me the privilege of having him to teach, love and hold. He wakes up slowly, and we usually chat about the day or anything that's on his mind (usually, things like raisins, cereal and fruit - how can you tell he's my son!) It's been a wonderful way to start the day.

I realized looking at him how much he's growing up. He's become rather vocal, using words we didn't know he knew to try and explain what he wants. Most of the time it's in English, but if I ask it of him, he say it in Cantonese for me. While it's been wonderful to actually talk to him there are things I miss. I miss the way he'd put his teeth together and suck in when he wanted cheese, or his varying 'clacks' of the tongue, one for light and one for ice cream depending on the pitch. (Yes, he did sound like that odd African tribe and their tongue clacking language) His garbled baby talk will soon leave him entirely and I will miss the sweet indecipherable sounds.



Other fun things to note: he has a love-hate relationship with playdoh, he loves all the possibilities that can be done, but hates how he can't manipulate it to do exactly what he wants. Here he's loudly announcing he's "DONE!!!!"



He loves building with the TP rolls, but knows that he's not to unwrap them. Of course, being the inquisitive toddler he his, he can't help but wonder why. This is the end result ... I should have known that 5 minutes of silence was dangerous! While he cleaned up he kept rolling himself up in it and laughing at his tissue thin toga. Mama had a hard time keeping a stern face.

Late Night Bunny Recovery Team

As some of you may know, we have a pet rabbit named Sunshine. Previous to our move she was an indoor rabbit, running about the house much as a cat would. Our house was all tile and she was 'potty trained' easily so it was never much of an inconvenience. Once we moved, all our apartments had carpet. While the traction was great for her, she also loved sinking her teeth into the fibers. Soon we had to relegate her to the balcony with supervised playtime indoors. Typically we put her in her box for the night and bring her indoors but last night she was missing. The wood panel we'd wedged into place had blown over and she'd squeezed out through the gap.

So at 10 pm Kent and I found ourselves outside going from bush to bush calling, "Sunshine... come bunny come!" She isn't very adventurous so we figured she hadn't wandered too far. A half hour later Kent found her. She had crossed the parking lot and sat huddled between bushes. Kent muttered something about the, "Stupid rabbit ..." but kept it under his breath knowing of my love for the silly animal. Between her fall from a balcony last year (see older post of 'Bunnoudini' ) and her late night adventures, I hope she makes it until we move back into our house. How many lives does a rabbit have anyway?


This is an old picture of Sunshine, she hates being carried this way! ;0)

A Little Anxious

It was so nice last night to finally feel the little guy move. It was different from when I was pregnant with Isaac, much more pronounced. I halfway wonder if I've been too busy to notice the flutters I remember feeling before. This one also seems much less active ... I'm sure I'll eat my words once he/she is out! ;0)

Unfortunately we also received some news that has me a little anxious. My blood tests results for Down Syndrome came back higher than average ... which just means my doctor is recommending me to see a perineonatologist (sp?) for more testing. Given my age, past miscarriages and certain levels of hormones they come to some 'at-risk ratio' that determines whether further testing needs to be done. While I know that more often than not, further testing reveals all is well I still worry. I also don't relish the thought of an amniocentesis ... who would! The idea of an incredibly long needle/tube entering my belly into my uterus to aspirate some fluid makes me shudder. Our appointment for a consult is on the Friday morning we leave for Florida ... it gives us something chew on while we fly out. We'll keep you posted.

Well Worth It!

We had an enormously busy day out in Tempe today. Kent's work had a carnival out there in Kawanis and we drove out early for some family fun. I must admit I was reluctant at first, it's a long ways away and was sure to disrupt our schedule ... but I let go the the 'Mom' in me and I'm so glad we went.




Isaac was thrilled to feed the ducks and kept yelling for more food for them. Mama, being the practical Chinese she is, kept wondering how good such fat birds would be for Peking Duck! After that we spent sometime at a playground to run off some energy.



We got there just as things were starting up. The night before there was a toy just like this at the church game night, but Isaac was too terrified to try it. Fortunately, this one was made for adults as well, so Papa was induced to get on and show Isaac some fun. Before we knew it, we could hardly get the kid off! Inside it, you could climb up to an enormous slide that Isaac just couldn't get enough of. Unfortunately, the rungs on the ladder for it were too far apart, this entailed that Papa had to push him up and then slide down and begin the adventure all over again .... and again....and again. At one point Kent suggested I should have gotten in with Isaac. Talk about an amusing thought (for the observer and most definitely not for me) a winded pregnant woman attempting to shove a 30lb boy up a steep wall while on unsteady ground. I'm glad I skipped it!






Today was a day of many 'firsts' for Isaac. We're never tempted at a carnival-like atmosphere to buy cotton candy or snow cones ... it's far too expensive! ("that thing costs what 3 dim sum dishes would be!") But today those things were just a part of the party and we took full advantage of it. Besides, Kent and Isaac had burned a wallop of sugar off playing, it was time to refill!




There is something intrinsic in the nature of cotton candy that makes one feel like a kid again. Maybe it's the fact you're sinking your teeth into air for that whisper of sugar that melts instantly on your tongue in a delightful strawberry flavor. Or perhaps its because tickles your hair and eyelashes as you get a mouthful and end up looking like a pinkified Santa. I don't know exactly what it is, but each time I have it, I feel like a little person again!



Isaac kept saying 'bbrrrr' as he ate his snow cone but he sure as heck wouldn't put it down for a second!

As is, we were way off schedule and had to sing loudly to keep Isaac from falling asleep on the way home. It was worth it though.

Where do Babies Come From?

Isaac's a real jewel first thing in the morning. He loves sitting in our bed reading books under the covers while I get ready for the day. Now that I'm beginning to really show, I often point out where 'baby' is. Being the sweetheart he is, he came up to me and offered his blanket to 'baby'. He seemed a little offended when I explained that 'baby' doesn't need his blanket yet, so I pulled out one of the pregnancy books I have and began to show him the pictures. Right away he could pick out 'baby'. He was fascinated as we looked through the months and I explained that until 'baby' was big enough, he/she couldn't come out. Of course this entailed showing him the birthing pictures. He's read a lot of books about birds hatching from eggs and I didn't want him to think Mama just cracked right open (though that's a little like how it feels!) Once I was done explaining he looked thoughtfully at my belly, gave it a kiss and said, "Hi baby". I thought I did my job well especially when he came back to look some more at the pictures.

Later today after a particularly filling lunch, Isaac lifted up his shirt and pointed to his belly, "BABY" he proudly said. Okay, so my job wasn't quite as thorough as I thought. I explained that he would someday be a Papa and only Mama's can carry babies inside. Now I'm just waiting for the day when he points to a larger woman and loudly says, "BABY"! How do I explain that one!



Here he's practicing for when baby comes, packing a diaper and even giving kisses!