Getting To Know Our Little Erik

posted by Mommy
Okay, I am sneaking in some peace and quiet while Grandma is cuddling with Erik. Here's a quick update on us being parents for the first 20 days! I can't believe time goes by so fast at this point! Erik is definitely teaching us a lot of things and this is what Chhimi and I have learned so far abut our little son.

ERIK DOES NOT LIKE:

• Diaper changes - We think its because of the sudden temperature change on his body


• Dirty diapers - It is Zero-Tolerance zone on this one


• Sleeping alone - Even though we borrowed a co-sleeper from our friends (Thanks Leda & Phil!), he wakes up within 20 minutes crying & demands to be picked up and held


• To Be Awakened - even though we wake up him for his feeding or diaper change, he HATES this part and starts crying every time :-(


• Getting weighed on the baby scale

ERIK LIKES:

• Looking at the mobile while getting diaper changed - sometimes (Thanks Connie & Ed for giving us Ashpie's changing table!)


• Getting fed FAST - or else Chhimi and I pay the price of having Erik cry


• White Noise - such as hair dryer, air purifier fan, SHHH sound (-Daddy: Erik Loves the air dryer when we blow it on his butt :D


• To Be Cuddled & Snuggled


• Sleep right in-between Mommy & Daddy - of course, we wake up every hour just to check on him. Sigh!


• Do long stretches while awakening from his deep sleep - it's really cute, we'll try to get a video of it next time around

WHAT ELSE WE'VE LEARNED

• Erik definitely fits his name very well, if referring to "Erik the Red", especially when he is crying :-(, because his face becomes bright red and sometimes he holds his breath. Freaks Chhimi and I out!


• Mommy and Daddy HATES seeing Erik cry, even if its for 5 seconds, it just breaks our hearts


• Breastfeeding is a learned process, even though we took classes prior, theory versus actual lab work is VERY different and put in a screaming baby, logic goes out the door


• Lactation Consultants are very important, no matter what the price, to show mom & dad (yep, Dad too) to how to place baby for a proper latch or else mom and baby will pay the price!


• A proper feeding should be between 15-20 minutes per breast, NOT per feeding - because of this small fact, we mistakenly underfed our son and caused weight lost of 1 oz :-( - so that is why there is a lack of post and update because Chhimi and I are still VERY concern about Erik's weight. So far he's doing good but we'll check this coming Wednesday at the Doctor's appointment to see if he really improved or not (keep your fingers cross for us!)


• Sleep while baby sleeps is VERY VERY important


• Dr. Harvey's "Happiest Baby on the Block" really works on calming and soothing Erik - THANK YOU DR. HARVEY


• Having help is really really crucial during the first few weeks and even months - BIG THANKS to Grandma Katy and Grandpa Tom!!

That's all for now, back to my relaxation and getting ready for another feeding.

Photos

The lack of post and pictures shall be explained some time soon. Lack of sleep could be the primary reason. For those of you looking for pictures look no further..... and thanks for reminding me to post them up.

www.babychhimi.com/photos

Special Thanks

posted by Mommy

Alrighty, our faithful readers, this is my first blog after having Erik. No worries, I am doing well, thanks to the invention of drug and pain medication. Erik is also adjusting fine into the new world. Now, Chhimi and I are just dealing with the sleepless nights...and days too. Grandma Katy & Grandpa Tom are doing their best taking good care of all 3 of us. They've officially become Nurse Katy and Master Chef Tom as our basic needs are met while we tend to our baby boy.

I just wanted to give a special thanks to all the visitors we had at the hospital after the delivery, it was great to see our friends supporting us:

• Sean - Thanks a bunch for being our "transporter" and taking Grandpa Tom & Grandma Katy to the hospital while we rested and took care of Erik


• Connie & Ed - Thanks for making the long drive and bringing me beautiful flowers, it definitely brightened up our hospital room


• Hong & Avery - Thanks for being our other "transporter" and taking Grandpa Tom & Grandma Katy to the hospital AND giving us a care package of clothes for Erik and me. You two are just too sweet and thoughtful!

We would've loved to have more visitors but with my pain medication and the "new baby" part, it really got all of us exhausted. So for those who wanted to visit at the hospital but we politely declined, THANK YOU for your love and support! Erik will be ready to greet all of our friends very soon!

For everybody else, thank you for all the wonderful messages left on the blog, email, voicemail, etc. It made us realize how truly lucky we are to have such a wonderful group of friends and family!

Back Home from the hospital

After four long days and nights (sleepless) at the hospital - we are back home sweet home - PLUS One. Erik and mommy are doing fine. Mummy is still recovering from the surgery.

Baby Erik

Baby Erik Tak Hong Ma was born on April 9, 2006. He weighed 8lbs and 5 oz and 20inches long and as I did like to put it 3 feet away from Mommy. Both Mommy and Baby Erik are doing well and recuperating at the hospital for another 3 more days.
Thanks to all for your well wishes and prays.

More News Later

STATUS: Still No Baby Chhimi Yet

posted by Mommy
Maybe my little boy is feeling a tad bit shy to greet the world but he's still securely inside for now. Chhimi and I are anxiously waiting for his arrival but we know not to be "pushy" parents ;-) and let him greet the world when he's ready...or when the doctor says ready or not, Baby Chhimi, you're coming out!

STATUS: No Baby Yet!

Have you seen the weather lately in Sactown? If I were the baby I wouldn't want to come out in this weather. Status of Baby Chhimi due date - we are still in standby mode. I will try and blog baby's birth and news through this website.

April 1st Came & Went (39 Week+)

posted by Mommy

My guestimate of an April 1st delivery date is pretty much not happening. Baby Chhimi is still happily in the womb and waiting for the right moment to pop! Sigh! So instead of being in the delivery room today, Chhimi, Grandma-to-be Katy, and I were busily cleaning up house to get ready for the actual arrival date!

Afterwards, we celebrated our days worth of work by visiting the nearby movie theater and watching "Ice Age 2". Yep, a kiddie movie with lots of hyper kids full of soda! Wow! Note to self: NO Soda for Baby Chhimi!!

We'll keep you all posted when Baby Chhimi arrives.

For those who are interested in placing a guess on a due date, visit our past article titled "Place Your Date"