How much TV or should my son watch TV?

Way back before we even had Erik, Tabitha and I always talked about parenting issues and how we would deal with each situation as far as we could foresee them. One of those issues we used to bring up was how much TV should we let our son watch or when would it be a right time to introduce the tube to Erik. Tabitha and I had some different views but generally agreed upon no TV for the son till he’s about ___________ (insert age) here. Well there was me saying no DISNEY for my son – I still think this way (I hate Disneyland – those long lines just scare the *poop* out of me) but Tabitha bought me down to reality by saying what if Erik comes to me with that sweet innocent face and asks me about going to Disneyland. I will probably give in – so NO to DISNEY movies. Then we used to say no TV for Erik – but we seem to be losing out on this too – when the TV is on he arches his necks and stares at it. He has already been to a number of movies at the theatre with Grandma and Mom. He loves to watch the Game Show Network – thanks to Grandma – but this could actually be good learning to spell through Lingo and Wheel of Fortune. But I would honestly love it if he would eventually like shows like the Amazing Race. (Family Amazing Race would be pretty darn cool) It seems like we are losing war with TV and Erik. But we do try and show him Baby Einstein DVDs and we do play the CDs whenever we are in the car. (Tabitha did mention that DISNEY was marketing or producing the Baby Einstein’s).

What really bought me to mention TV in the first place was the following article on NPR - For Toddlers, a World Laden with Advertising my main concern is the numerous advertisements that kids today are constantly bombarded by which leads to headaches for parents. And I have first hand experience in advertisement and obesity. Look at me – I used to be skinny – when I first washed upon the shores of this Junk Food filled country I was a mere skinny child of 18 years and about 160lbs. Now I am a mountain of flesh at about 250lbs. All thanks to those cool junk food Adds where I would run out and buy the latest bag of chips. Ask my brother – another person who has experienced this the hard way. So how can I protect my son from this? I guess I got to fix the “broken ass” workout and lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Other things I worry about TV – Thomas the toy train another show I hope my son never watches. It just rubs me the wrong way that show.

It was raining Babies :D

This weekend was a blast – as I’d like to put it – it was raining babies. We had a couple of our friends over with their babies – good food, good company and great babies. While growing up the funniest things used to be whenever our parents got together with other parents they would always compare their babies/children. You know what I am talking about – My son is an astronaut and he is only 5.

Well this weekend it was fun seeing the daddies and mommies get into the act. My son can sit on his own (Tai) my son can crawl – blah – blah - blah. Guess what people my son can poop. :D

It was fun and Erik can’t wait to see all his buddies again.





Click Hereto view pictures of the get together.

Our Journey into Parenthood!

Create your own video for free at www.onetruemedia.com

Get Your Lazy Ass of the Couch!

As most of you folks that visit this site know – that Chhimi (yours truly) is far from being fit – I am what you think of when you think Couch Potato. I was never this way growing up so how did I get this way? (That’s a whole different story for another day)

Well ever since I found out that we were going to have Erik (my dearest son) – I have been super excited about doing stuff with him (Man Stuff – stuff that put hairs on your chest) Just wanted to do a lot of guy stuff with him and in general spending a lot of time with him.

(Note: I just wanted to do the stuff that I had wished me and my dad had done a lot more. I am not going Dr. Phil on my dad – he did the best job he could have done with me and my brother and provided for us adequately and send both his son’s to this country and paid for our out of state tuition for many, many years – I think the mentality of raising children from a guy’s perspective has or mine has changed and I want to be hands on with bringing up my son)

So where was I?

While reading one of the many daddy Blogs that I visit – I read an article from Adventure Dad and knowing that I was in the “horrible shape” father stage I have mentally and physically begun to change my approach in life in general and wanting to make good healthy decisions. I really want to be around my son and being there for all his milestones in life – be it his first ride on his first tricked out bicycle or swimming. Just watching his expressions as I took him into the pool for the first time was priceless. Adventure Dad got it right – “my unbelievable cute and handsome son is becoming a positive inspiration in my life – and wanting me to do things that I never wanted to do” and all the nagging from the wife has never accomplished in all these years. So here’s to hoping that I become a somewhat fit Dad who is not huffing and puffing behind his son.

On a side note – as soon as I get down to do the right things I found out that I “broke my ass.” We will know more about it after I get my cat-scan next week. Remember – way back when Chhimi fell of the garbage can – well I think I may have dislocated or fractured my coxic bone/tail bone. More on this as I get more information.

Updates from Daddy

Sorry about the lack of no posts – was taking some time of to relax and enjoy my bundle of joy. I used to make fun of people who always bragged about their kids – now I am just always gushing with pride whenever I talk about my dear son and proudly re-account all his “little” feats and accomplishments to every Tom, Dick and Harry.

The following are some of the list of “little” feats that makes me a proud Papa:

Poop Master – As from previous post – my son has been getting his training in bathroom etiquette from Grandma Katy ever since we bought him back from the hospital. Over the course of months Tabitha has been mentioning to me that Erik is on a poop schedule – and like clock work he poops around 7, 9 and 2. Having never fully experienced this – one morning when Grandma Katy and Mommy were out doing Aqua Yoga or Aqua Aerobics and little Erik who was sleeping besides me woke me up by kicking and crying – so my first instincts was to feed him. But that did not work – then I remembered Tabitha words of wisdom – about his daily routine. I took him to his giant pooper (aka our wonderful giant bathtub) and low and behold my sons pooped – at that moment I was the happiest daddy in the world. (Note: Chhimi was potty trained at 11 months) I feel like I need to get a bumper sticker like some proud parents who display stickers like “My son is an Honor Student” I wonder if they would have one that says “My son can poop.”

Swimming – well I have been giving Erik baths in the master tub for a while now and he seems to enjoy that a lot more than his little tub. Hopefully he will continue to enjoy that because that is a part of the day I enjoy the most getting into the bathtub with him. A week ago we were over at our friends house (Connie and Ed’s) and I got into the Jacuzzi with him (don’t worry we had the temperature held at 92 and plus Erik has always liked his water on the hotter side) He really had a great time there – so we decided to take him swimming at our gym – the first time he got in there we did the lap pool twice – I got him in a “superman” hold – where I have him under his arms and chest – and I took him up and down the pool – and all that while he was kicking his legs and his technique looked a lot better than mine. Anyways the next day he was out – wouldn’t get up till noon. Ever since that we have been there about 3 – 4 times that week. Another note – my son is a chick magnet.

Well now that the three weeks are up – I am back at work and today was a long, long day back at work – and I really missed the little guy a lot. I will try and get all the pictures up and videos up and running pretty soon.
Here are some pictures of our road trip:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/RoadTripCanadaDay1
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/FireworksPortland
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/RoadTripCanadaDay2
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/RoadTripCanadaDay3
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/RoadTripCanadaDay4
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/RoadTripCanadaStanleyPark
http://picasaweb.google.com/jigme.chhimi/RoadTripCanada_LastDays

Time With Daddy

posted by Mommy

Chhimi took 3 weeks off from work to bond with our baby Erik. It was a whirlwind of activities and Erik had lots of fun with his Daddy. Here's a list of "Firsts" that Erik experienced with Daddy:

• Met his Aunt Kathleen from New York


• First Road Trip (Oregon, Washington, Vancouver)


• Visit another country: Canada


• July 4th Fireworks (even though Erik was pretty much sleeping by then)


• Ferry ride across the Pacific water to Vancouver Island


• Visit to the aquarium (Erik LOVES looking at fishes!)


• Visit to a beautiful garden and smelling the roses or ice cream


• First lick of a pita bread @ 3 1/2 months old (didn't really care for it much)


• Able to grab objects when he concentrates really really hard


• Suck his thumb or fingers or fists without missing


• Attended Baby Yoga classes with participation from both Mommy & Daddy


• Get to be carried face forward now with Daddy!


• Sit & Sleep in the carseat without fussing too much


• Sit in his very own high chair (Mucho THANKS to Sean & Kallie!)


• Learned to soothe himself to bed by mimicking what we do to soothe him (very cute & loud - we still have to rock him to sleep though)


• Learned to watch TV (YES! He's watching game shows cuz Grandma Katy loves them! But we try to put on just 30 minutes worth of Baby Einstein for him)


• Swimming w/Daddy (this is the BEST one, Erik's face just lights up every time)

All in all, Erik had a great time with Daddy. He got lots of love and attention! Chhimi still has 4 more weeks to take between now and before Erik's 1st birthday so he'll get even more attention then!

Happy 4th - Relaxing Afternoon with Gabe

Click here to view Pictures