Ayumi is 6 weeks old

Ayumi is 6 weeks old today. Time just fly by! It's been a busy 6 weeks since Ayumi's birth. I caught a cold for a week and on my birthday, I got the 24 hr stomach flu. It was not fun hugging the toilet and vomitting for 24 hrs. I thought I was going to die!

Thankfully Ayumi didn't catch it and she was fine. I was glad that I had some supply of milk to give her from the freezer.

I feel bad for Ayumi at times. Being the 2nd child, I'm noticing that I don't rush to her right away when she cries and she seems to get carried less. We also didn't celebrate her 1 month bday like we did with Akemi.

I'll try to make it up to her at her 3 months. =)

Akemi's Vocab

1. Dadoo = doggy
2.lei daw= Lay down
3. Tis tis = This
4. Webt = wet
5. Haut = Hot
6. Aghwa = Water
7. Mauk = Milk
8. Apple Juiw= Apple Juice

She's starting to string some words together. Like 'Daddy please more aghwa'

My baby girl is growing up. I can't help but to stare at her as she sleeps. We're trying to sleep train her so that she doesn't get accustomed to us laying down next to her, but I can't help it. It only seems like yesterday when she was as small as Ayumi.

Totally Unprepared

Earlier this month, I've been feeling extremely tired and my belly was cutting off the circulation of my left leg. I was having difficulty in walking but couldn't really take it easy with a toddler around the house. I started to feel what I thought were braxton hicks contractions. My belly would stiffen up and felt hard like a basketball. It didn't feel like contractions at all. It felt as though my belly was too small for my growing baby!

By Tuesday, as I was having lunch with my good friend, Jen, I was exhausted. I am so thankful that Jen was persistent and told me to start preparing. With alot of convincing, I finally went out and got some newborn diapers and started on my hospital bag. I still figured I had 3 more weeks till the due date!!!

All of our baby stuff was shipped to Shanghai and just arrived to Jonathan's company warehouse that week. We haven't gotten around to pick it up since we've been busy with Halloween stuff and figured we would have time to pick it up that weekend.

Little did we know that I will go into labor Wednesday nite. I started to feel pain earlier in the day and thought that maybe I had digestive problems. Every day I usually pick up Kyle (Jonathan's youngest brother) from football practice and on that day, I told him that starting tomorrow I wouldn't be able to pick him up. I was too tired carrying Akemi into the car seat and driving the short 15 min to school to get him everyday. Ironically I didn't think it would be my last day to get him anyways.

By 10pm, I started to realize that the 'gas' pains were not going away. I took a hot shower to see if it would subside and it didn't. By the time I realize what was going on, my contractions were 5 mins apart. It only took an hour or so to be at that rate.

It is definitely not easy packing the hospital bag in between contractions!!!! I called my doctor's office and the on call doctor asked me to wait till the contractions were 5 mins apart for an hour. From the 1st pregnancy, I was like 'no way, I'm not waiting till then'. We went right to the hospital.

I thought I was 37 weeks already into the pregnancy, but after calculations, the oncall doctor said I was 36 weeks and 4 days. Because I didn't make the 37th week, the baby was considered preterm and he was wanted to hold off my delivery. He blabbed about how if the baby came early, she might have to go to the NICU and I won't see her for 2 weeks. He basically scared me to delay the delivery. I agreed to the medicine to try to subside the contractions but after 4 hours of the stuff, AYUMI was determined to still come!!

The nurse convinced the doctor that was I was 2 cm dilated and I was admitted into the hospital. 6 hours later after the medicine subsided, Ayumi arrived screaming into the world!

Ayumi Fu is Born!!

Our second daughter, Ayumi Chloe Fu, was born on November 5, 2009. She was technically a "pre-late term" baby since she was delivered at 36 weeks and 4 days (anything under 37 weeks is considered pre-term). But according to all the nurses and doctors, she appears to be full term and perfectly normal.
It's been four days since she was born. I preparing myself mentally the first couple sleepness nights. Its all sort of fuzzy in my head, but I have memories of Akemi constanly crying when we were in the hospital, so Karen and I never got any sleep. But Ayumi was very quiet for the most part. Whenever she was in her bassinet, she just slept peacefully or made very little noise.
So I was pleasantly surprised with our stay in the hospital. Karen and I actually got to watch a netflix movie on my laptop and catch up on a lot of Law & Order.
Ok...so the hospital stay wasn't too bad. But I still had to go back to reality which was a hyper-active 22 month year old waiting for me at home. I wasn't sure what to expect. Would she be jealous and have temper tantrums? Would she let me put her to sleep (she always wants Mommy)?
Surprisingly, Akemi has taken very well to Ayumi. Of course its too early to say. Even the pediatrician said that the first week would be fine, but once the novelty wore off, we should expect some resistance from Akemi. She let me give her a batch and put her to sleep, despite some crying.
I was also worried about Karen, who was in quite a bit more post partum pain then she was hoping for. Again, I had these fuzzy memories of the first few days home with Akemi, and all I remember was constant crying. But we have been lucky so far today that Ayumi for the most part does not cry very much. This has allowed Karen to actually shower today, have dinner with me and Akemi, and watch some TV (for thost of you who don't have kids, you probably won't appreciate what I am saying).
Today I took Akemi to Kids Space so Karen could stay home and rest. I had alot fun just hanging out with her. I was a bit tired, but nothing a couple cups of coffee and diet cokes, couldn't remedy. I was able to take a short nap when we got back since Akemi knocked out around 12:30 on the way home.
I hope I am not jinxing myself with this blog. Its onl'y been two days since we got home, so its still to early to start planning my next vacation. But so far so good..:)
Jonathan

Akemi is growing up!

Akemi has finally started to sleep in her 'big girl's bed'. Jonathan and I are exstatic! We are finally getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep again!!! We put one side rail up and cushioned the other side with pillows so she wouldn't get stuck between the wall and the bed. So far, she hasn't done 180s in the bed and seems to be sleeping in one position.
We both think Akemi have been trying to tell us that she's a big girl now and didn't want to sleep in her crib anymore. We again have to rearrange the room since the bed is next to the shared wall with our room. We're trying to put her as far away from the 'soon to be baby#2's cries.

On another note, Jonathan has been getting stroller envy. We recently went to the 15th Annual Kidspace Pumpkin Patch this weekend and Jonathan was oogling over everyone's stroller. Pasadena family seems to have more of the high-end strollers. We finally went to Rite Start and checked out the Phil & Ted Sports stroller. I had to pull Jonathan away from the store after an hour. http://www.shopphilandteds.com/phil-and-teds-sport-buggy.pro
We're still looking around but let us know if you have any suggestions on a tandem stroller. I already bought one but found out that it went on sale for $99 so I'm going to ask Rite start for the price difference.

Here are pics from the Kidspace Museum:



Akemi was passed out as soon as we arrived at the pumpkin festival.

Tesshin & Akemi playing with the water guns!

Akemi's 1st day at Daycare

Jonathan and I have debated for a while whether to put Akemi back at daycare.
It's been getting harder chasing after little Akemi during the day...especially since I'm 8 months pregnant. I only have this month and next to go!!!

I finally gave in after a full day of chasing her around and nearly giving out my back and placed Akemi at a monessori. She started today!

They have a huge playground in the back and she adjusted right away. I'm hoping her day goes well today!

I'll keep you posted.

Here's the monessori site: http://www.angels-preschool.com/

Akemi the gymnast

In preparation for baby #2 at the end of Nov, Jonathan and I have been sleep training Akemi back into her crib. I have spoiled her the last few months and slept with her in the big bed while Jonathan has been away in Shanghai.

It's been challenging putting her in the crib with my belly and so much easier to let her sleep with me. But I created a really bad habit.

The last few nights, Akemi has been climbing of her crib. With her long legs, she does it with such ease that we're amazed when we witness the 'spiderwomen' action on the video monitor.

Last night, she climbed out at 1am. Jonathan put her in the 'big girl' bed and we later hear her fall off the bed at 3am. Poor thing. We haven't put the side rails up, but definitely will do that tonite.
Finally Jonathan had to go sleep with her.

Any advice on the sleep training will be greatly appreciated!

Shanghai Move postponed

After a week of discussions, we decided to postpone our move to Shanghai till next March. Baby #2 will be due on Nov 28th and will be 3 months old by March.

Just wanted to say Thanks to all of our friends and family that supported us through this entire process. We currently have half of our stuff in Shanghai and even an apartment will 2011! tee heee...

I'm mentally adjusting to being back here and have unpacked all 6 luggages. Just have 5 boxes to go!

M.I.A

So we've been M.I.A (missing in action) for a few months. It's been a crazy few months in the Spring. I was concern with pending layoffs with my company, which finally took place in June. I was not one of them that were impacted. We had 20% of our workforce reduce globally. It was a very 'trying' time, but I'm glad it's over.

On lighter front, we had an opportunity to travel in the past few months, wedding in point reyes, trip to shanghai and tokyo, san diego zoo trip,.... pictures to come eventually.

Akemi is 16 months and babbling and walking like crazy.
Here are the words she says:
- Bubble
- Apple
- Uh oh
- Byeee
- Hiyeee
- all done..
- yei yei = grandpa in chinese
- Iyees= 'Isis' - Kyle's dog
-Ge Ge = give me whatever i'm pointing

Notice she hasn't said 'mama' or 'papa' yet? tee hee.. I'm trying hard to repeat it to her all the time. Wish me luck!

Akemi is too heavy

I threw out my back this morning. It was really sore yesterday but I kept ignoring it. Finally this morning, I couldn't reach back to grab the seat belt when I was getting ready to drop Akemi at daycare. I called in sick and called the chiropractor right away.

I saw him first thing this morning and 'oh man' was he concern. He said that my neck and upper back was swollen and was surprised that I wasn't crying. I guess I have a higher pain tolerance after giving birth. He highly recommended that I stay home tomorrow, but I really need to go into work. He put some ice pack on my back and neck and did some ultrasound, which helped.

I'm soo sore though... I knew something was wrong when I was lifting and carrying Akemi all week. I didn't realize how much it helps to have another pair of hands to carry her and share the 'load'. tee hee.. thankfully Jonathan is coming back today.

I'm off to take a nap and rest...

Akemi's World

Akemi's new babble words:

Ah boo = dog
Aiyes = Isis (Kyle's dog)
Papa = we're hoping it would be for daddy, but it's when she's happy she says papapapapa

It's amazing that Akemi is comprehending. When we say, Bye Bye, she waves or blows kisses.
She's pointing at things that she wants and says 'A, a a'. She already learned to shake her head for 'No' and knows how to twirl around when we dance. =)

Akemi Walking (by Jonathan, finished by Karen)

So Akemi is fully on walking now. It's been amazing watching her progress to where she is now. It was only a month ago that she started taking a few steps. Now she can roam on her own, despite falling down quite a bit still. She is a trooper I must say. Watching her stumble around sometimes is cute, but when she hits the ground with a very loud "thump", I am amazed how quickly she'll get back up. She is a very determined little girl.
Akemi seems very pleased with her new found form of independence. She can now reach things as well as point.

*Karen*---
Akemi started walking around Christmas. She would take a few steps here and there. Once she figured that she's the one that is moving and not the world around her, she started to get more adventurous and started to walk quicker. Now, Akemi is on full blast and would run from one room to another. In the past, I would look away, knowing that it would take her a few minutes from point A to point B, but now, I have to keep watching her.

Her favorite activity in January was to run a lap through the kitchen. Poor Dior would see her coming and tries to walk away. Occasionally Dior would be Akemi's cushion when she falls.

First Birthday (by Jonathan)`

Wow--so Akemi turned one yesterday! It has been an incredible year to say the least. Parenthood definitely wacked me over the head and made me see stars. Karen keeps saying how fast the year went. But for me, I felt like it went neither slow or fast. It just sort of happened. It seems like I can only remember events as far back as a month. Her first three months are a fuzzy memory in my head. But that's probably because I was half awake for most of the time. The 4th to 6th months were some of the toughest with Karen going back to work and us having to deal with daycare. I think those memories got archived somewhere in a lost folder. The 7th to 9th months were marked with some great milestones, like Akemi transitioning to solid food and make her first attempts to speak. I feel like these last three months is when I really began to see Akemi grow as an indepedent little being. Most remarkable was watching her to walk in just these past few weeks! It was just two weeks ago we saw Akemi take her first few steps. Now she walks everywhere!!

On a side note, we finally got Akemi to sleep through the night. For the last 3 or 4 months, Akemi has been waking up at least twice a night. Most of the time she wakes screaming bloody murder and we end up feeding her or holding her to make her go back to sleep. She also has not been going to bed on her own, requiring us to rock her or lie with her until she fell alseep. It has been a frustrating pattern that really took a toll on Karen and I. So finally Thursday night (yes..on her Birthday), we decided to let her "cry it out". We had tried once before and she ended throwing up, which resulted in us going back to the nurse or rock her back to sleep. She went to bed around 9pm and around 1 am woke up crying. We did first try to rock her back to sleep, but she wouldn't go down and would continue crying. So we just put her back in her crib and let her cry. What seemed like an eternity (but was actually only 7 minutes), Akemi's cries turned into snoring. She went back to asleep on her own! The following night we did the same thing. We put in her crib around 9pm and of course she started crying. But we turned off the lights, closed the door, and went downstairs. Amazingly. within 5 minutes, she stopped crying and fell asleep.

I don't know if this going to last. I certainly hope so. But I have never been so grateful for a good nights sleep:)

I never thought...

I never thought...

- that I'll walk out of the house with two different pairs of brown high heels to work. As I was walking to my car, I thought I was walking funny and figured that one of my heels were worn. Thankfully I realized in my garage, that I was wearing the wrong pair of brown high heels!!!

-that I'll drive all the way to work to only find myself without my laptop. I begged Jonathan to swing by and drop it off at work.

-that I'll be one of 'those' moms, that is perfectly fine leaving the house with spit up all over my shirt and perfectlly content. At least I'm out of the house on my own right?

-that although Akemi can drive me bonkers, it only takes one SMILE to make me forget all the craziness.

I love being a mom. It is truly the most rewarding experience ever!

Akemi's first steps

Every night, Akemi, Dior, and I play fetch with the ball. I would throw the ball and watch both Akemi & Dior go after it. Usually Dior makes it to the ball first, but lately, Akemi has been crawling pretty fast.

Well tonight, I threw the ball and Akemi was leaning against a wall and started to walk towards the ball. She took a few wobbly steps towards the ball,squatted down,and grabbed it. Hopefully I'll have a chance to record it on video next time.

Akemi is slowly starting to build her confidence in walking and before you know it, she'll be walking around the room. I just hope Dior can keep up.

Kudos to Working Moms

I'm sure I have written this before but I have much more appreciation for working moms. It's HARD. It's been almost 8 months since I've been back to work and I'm still not use to it.

1. Lack of sleep does not help
2. It's really hard to focus at work due to reason#1
3. You really have to be efficient with your time. I scheduled three 30 min blocked time through out the day to pump, which doesn't seem like too much time out of the day. But it's challenging scheduling meetings and work around those time. At times, I find myself writing emails or reading meeting notes during my pump session. Thank god I haven't spilled my milk on my work documents yet..
4. Kicking butt at work is harder than before. My brain has been mush lately.

Here is my new day schedule at work:

5am: Wake up--Walk the dog

5:15am : Hurry back and shower

6:00am: Scarf breakfast down

6:15am: Nurse Akemi and leave for work

6:45am: In the building's parking garage

7:00am: Check email

7:30am: My first meeting! Can you believe it!!!?? It's east coast call. 'sigh'

4:30pm: Beg Jonathan to pick up Akemi from daycare. If not, I'm rushing out the door to get her.

Lately I've been leaving work at 6pm.

6:30pm: Dinner

7:00pm : Bath time/ bed time

8:30/9pm: My bed time...

I need to play the lotto, stay home, and eat Skinny Cow Ice cream sandwiches...

Akemi is finally sleeping!!

Whoo hoo! We had one night of 9 hours of sleep! Akemi went down at 8pm and woke up at 5am.
At 1am, I would hear her moan and whine, but we ignored it and she went back to sleep.

We found out that the few weeks where she wasn't sleep was due to her teeth coming in. After her teeth peaked through, she started to sleep longer. I'm glad I didn't let her cry it out cause she was really in pain and needed comfort. I'm glad we decided to go with our instincts.