You better not cry, you better not pout, cuz Grumpy Grandpa is back in town!

posted by Mommy

From the title of this blog, you can deduct that Grandpa Tom is now back in town. After a 4 month hiatus spent in New York with Chhimi's little brother, he has now returned for a brief visit (about 1 month). I thought our son would have no recollection of Grandpa Tom and was half-expecting "stranger anxiety".

As I bounce him down the stairs this past early Sunday morning, Erik was his cheery self (I think he is a morning person...for now!). We greeted Grandpa for the morning and Erik gave Grandpa his brightest smile and cooed at him!! Unbelievable!! No stranger anxiety what so ever! It was as if Erik knew that this was Grandpa and he is safe.

So those two in the morning just cooed and gaga over each other. Grandpa holding him on his lap and playing with Erik. It was quite cute to see them bond.

Erik sketch

Three Little Ducks

posted by Mommy

   

This past Saturday, it was our 2nd session at the UC Davis Family Connection Program. We had a blast seeing Erik explore his world. He played with lots of stuff but I think his favorite is still the carpet tunnel gym area since he uses his legs so much to try to push off.

He also had some "water" play time, basically, its just a plastic container of 2 inch deep water with 3 plastic ships. Chhimi held him over the edge and Erik was able to touch the ships and see it move, which is quite cool.

However, the highlight from the session was a new song that the Director sang during circle time "Three Little Ducks". It utilizes baby signs to indicate duck and play plus some gestures for over the hill, far away, waddling. Erik paid attention to it to the whole song even though he was quite cranky and was rubbing his eyes wanting to take a nap!

So for the rest of the weekend, Chhimi and I took turns singing the song to Erik which he listens intently and watches the signs. I'm just amazed at the little guy's attention span!

For the parents viewers, the song lyrics goes something like this:

Three little ducks went out to play (sign: number 3, duck, play)
Over the hill and far away (gesture: over, far)
When the mommy duck says quack quack quack (sign: mom, duck)
**NOTE** When Chhimi says it, he signs Daddy Duck instead
Two little ducks came waddling back (sign: 2, duck)
Two little ducks went out to play
Over the hill and far away
When the mommy duck says quack quack quack
One little duck came wadding back
One little duck went out to play
Over the hill and far away
When the mommy duck says quack quack quack
No little duck came waddling back
This made the mommy duck very sad (sign: sad)
One day mommy duck went over the hill and far away
When the mommy duck says quack quack quack
All three little ducks came waddling back

Growing up fast!

Erik - visit to the playground

Erik's First Time on a Swing

Aug 23, 2006 - 97 Photos

Erik's first time on a swing - he had a blast and so did we.

Mommy's Little Bookworm

Erik Attends University of California, Davis!

posted by Mommy

Ok Ok, I may have exaggerated the title a bit....alright A LOT! ;-) However, I can't help it since I attended UCD so I'm just proud to have my son on its campus in one of the programs. Chhimi and I have decided to enroll Erik into UC Davis' on-campus child development program for 8 weeks from August to October. It's really for us to get some ideas of what type of toys, activities, etc is age appropriate for Erik. Since we work during the week, weekends for us are used for family time and this program allows both of us to go in there along with Erik to do some exploration and parenting topics.

So this Saturday, we, as in Chhimi, Grandma Katy, and me, made the long 35-minute drive out to UC Davis. At first, Erik was a bit hesitant and didn't know what to make of the entire situation. His brows were furrowed, his lips were pursed, but after a little bit of getting used to his environment, he was excited as ever!! He even met a friend, Iden, who is 6 days older than Erik.

Erik explored their carpet tunnel gym area, which Chhimi's first thought was "What?! My son is a hamster?!" But apparently, infants love the different textures! Erik then explored their self pull up bars (with the help of Daddy and Grandma Katy) where he can see himself in the mirror. He loved looking at himself! He also tried his hands on self-servicing windchimes by pulling on the ribbons and associating the sounds with the action.

Best yet, Erik experienced his first icicle pop, which he could hold it, taste it, and feel it. It was great!! Simple ideas but big development milestones!! Of course, we also had fun too! They even had the parents gather in the circle and asked the Dad's what type of songs do they sing to their babies. Chhimi was proud to share that he sang "Old MacDonald Had A Farm".

Sigh, going back to Davis made Chhimi and me think of our college days and actually kind of wanting to go back into that Davis bubble :-) hahaha

UCDavis FCP

Aug 19, 2006 - 24 Photos

Where is Daddy?

Can you help me fine my daddy?

I am a big boy now, Daddy!

Weekend with Mommy and Daddy!

Weekend with Erik

Aug 12, 2006 - 44 Photos

This weekend we took Erik to his first visit to the zoo. (Folsom Zoo) There were more chickens/roosters than any other wild animals. But Erik had a blast and met up with his buddy Gabriel. (Just a coincidence as they happened to be there too).

We also took Erik for his first drive-in movie and saw Zoom and parts of Ant Bully. Both Daddy and he couldn’t make it for the double feature. Next time take some citronella candles and more quilts and blankets. On Sunday Grandpa and Grandma Wong came over with his little cousin Alyssa and Kristi. And Daddy made some kick ass BBQ ribs. We also took Erik to the park – during the evening and he had fun playing at the water park.

Erik's Day at the Folsom Zoo

Aug 12, 2006 - 62 Photos

Final Countdown: Last Day (Less than 24 hours)

posted by Mommy

Okay, it's my last 24 hours with Erik before I head back into work tomorrow morning. I woke up at 4:30am and just started looking at the clock and doing a mental count down then I would just stare at Erik's beautiful face and just cherish my time with him. Sigh! I swear, I think I'm going bonkers! Who would do that?!

Here's the thing, for the past 4 days, my life has been turned upside down, not with the fact that I'm returning to work soon (ok, maybe a little) but it's because Erik came down with his FIRST COLD. Poor little guy. It just breaks my heart to hear him coughing, sneezing, and feeling oh so congested in the nose. There's nothing we can do for him to make the darn cold disappear. He'd wake up in the night every hour because he can't breathe properly and I'd end up nursing him every hour to make sure he's hydrated and all.

We'd tried putting a humidifier in the room. We'd rubbed baby vapor rub on him. We'd even steamed up our bathtub with hot water and a bit of menthol to try to help him breathe a little easier. But in the middle of the night, Erik is just restless. So that's why it just adds another difficulty for me to leave him during the day at this time. Sigh!

As for the positives, Erik has been such a good baby through it all. Even though he's feeling utterly miserable, he can still brighten up with a big smile. He even gathered all his energy to play and coo at Mommy and Daddy!

A little EVOO

Baby Erik – has been getting a daily massage every day ever since we bought him back from the hospital. We have been using baby oil to massage him. Tabitha did some research – and found out at the mother’s group that you could use edible oils instead. It is a lot safer since Erik loves to suck on his fingers a lot and during the massage and sometimes he got a little baby oil on those fingers. So I ran out and got him some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) YUM!

A little bit of EVOO
Seasoned with Some Sugar and Spice
BAM!!!

We watch too much Food Network TV in this house especially Rachel Ray’s shows. I really don’t think Erik cares either way – he just loves his massages.

Final Countdown: 6 Days

posted by Mommy

Before Erik was born, I had all intentions of returning back to work as soon as I could. For those who know me, I was absolutely head strong in only taking about 12 weeks worth of maternity. However, after Erik arrived, my world has been completely turned upside down and not in a bad way at all. I even extended my maternity leave afterwards so I can be with my little baby.

Prior to Erik, my pace in life was pretty much about "Me" and it pretty much went full-speed ahead (if not faster), with the on-going support from my husband, Chhimi. But with Erik in our lives now, my life has completely slowed down to a pace where I could stop and smell the flowers (or diapers, I guess).

It is my final week as a "Stay-At-Home" mom and I am definitely sad to know that I will be leaving Erik during the day. Although he will be in the very capable hands of Grandma Katy, who definitely loves him, and I know she will take very good care of Erik, it is just not the same (cuz she's not me, Period). So I will definitely miss him a lot during the workday. No more snuggle sessions, no more baby kisses, no more baby smiles for me WAH! Just like my husband, I will have to wait until after work for all that stuff.

At the same time, I am also looking forward to going back into the workforce and getting back into my previous life. Getting a bit more challenged in the brain to make sure its still sharp enough and having conversations that doesn't involve everything about babies. We shall see how I will fare once I get back to work next Thursday, bright & early. But for now, I'm just going to enjoy every moment I can with Erik and hope for projects that will allow me to work from home a few days a week.

Missing my son

I think I should thank my lucky stars that we have it pretty good – where Grandma takes care of Erik while we both work. (Tabitha is going back to work next week). But I can’t help but miss the little guy. This morning Erik woke up around 6ish and wanted to play with me. So he starts making these cute cooing sounds, touching my nose and face and kicking me.

Usually I am pretty pissed when I am woken up – but waking up and seeing him smile at you is priceless. I think this might be the best alarm clock for me. I am also thinking about turning in early each night and heading to work a little early. This way I can be back home early to spend some quality time with Erik.

So Erik and Mommy dropped me off to work today. And Erik and I chatted in the back seat Mommy drove me to work. Just as I was about to leave and kissed him goodbye he started whining and began to cry – it’s as if he knows that I am off to work. *Sniff … sniff*

He is also at a stage where he really lights up when he sees my face. He will start his little baby talk and his awesome smiles. He has also started showing signs of rough-housing – he seems to like it. (I wonder why? – Tabitha always tells me) Heehee my son – a chip of the old block I guess. I can’t wait each day to get back home and play with the little guy. Hopefully the weather will cooperate today and we will get to swim tonight. (the water was a little too cold for Erik – he did not think so) If not the master bathroom better be ready. (PS: We are having tiles put into the bathrooms – its fun waking up in your room staring at the *poop-pot*).

New Photo Albums

Looks like somebody compromised my website (Photo Album). I am getting really sick of these idiots out there. In the meantime – I think I will catalog my pictures on my “Picasa” account instead. Here are a couple of albums of Erik.

Capitol Aquarium with Mom & Dad
Spending Time with Mom & Dad