Wahseh!Wahseh!cruisin' and bruisin' leaving footprints on the sand 
Articles
A Year Ago
2008-06-08 05:16:00 It's duan wu jie or dragon boat festival again and if my memory serves me right, this time last year we were in Ningbo and planning to stay there for a while. So a year has passed since the time we had packed up our bags and relocated. Many things have happened since then and of course the most significant is the birth of Micah :)All in all we had a wonderful experience living in Ningbo coupled with the traveling within China and also back and forth Malaysia plus a trip to Australia as well. In all that time we've met new friends as well as old.We are nomads since we've sold our house in Malaysia and haven't yet settled down anywhere. For the moment I am in Kuala Lumpur while David shuttles between here and Ningbo for work. When Micah is about 3 months old, I think we will join David in Ningbo where I guess, we'll be experiencing another year in China with new challenges. More About: Personal , Year
Baby Carriers
2008-06-05 06:07:00 I've got a baby strapped to me!I am testing out all the different carriers that have been passed down to me. This is a product review of sorts and so that I can document what works for me.Yesterday I took Micah out to a shopping mall and he was strapped to me with the sarong sling. This traditional method has been given a modern twist! Instead of a piece of cloth to tie baby to your body, this sling now comes in fancy fabric or prints, nicely sewn with pockets and also made with 2 rings for easy fastening.Micah is still a bit too young to be left without any support on the sling. His neck isn't that strong yet so I had to support his neck with one leaving only one hand free. It was tiring after a while and hot! His body heat was making both of us uncomfortable. It is, however the simplest to use among the other carriers I have and most compact.I actually tried the Evenflo Snugli first but Micah didn't seem to like it very much. It was also not snug enough despite it's name! His... More About: Baby , Travel , Carriers
Thank You, Sarah
2008-05-31 16:41:00 Sarah left a comment on my last post and I thought it deserves a proper mention. She dedicates this song to a mother but I share it with all mothers.One Heartbeat At A TimeSteven Curtis ChapmanYou?re up all night with a screaming babyYou run all day at the speed of lifeAnd every day you feel a little bit lesslike the beautiful woman you areSo you fall into bed when you run out of hoursand you wonder if anything worth doing got doneWell maybe you just don?t knowor maybe you?ve forgottenThat you, you are changing the worldone little heartbeat at a timeMaking history with every touch and every smileOh you, you may not see it nowbut I believe that time will tellhow you, you are changing the worldone little heartbeat at a timeWith every, ?I know you can do it?and every tear that you kiss awaySo many little things that seem to go unnoticedthey?re just like the drops of rainover time, they become a riverAnd you, you are changing the worldone little heartbeat at a timeMaking history with ev... More About: Religion , Baby , Friends , Sarah
Standstill
2008-05-29 16:07:00 My life has come to a standstill.I don't mean this in a bad way but because my life revolves around Micah, I live on a 3 hourly clock, give and take half an hour, which is about the intervals between feeding time. So as life around me moves on, I am now on my 3 hourly break.There isn't much one can do within 3 hours taking into account traveling time and contingencies so outings are limited to a near radius from the house and are also cut short especially if I have left Micah at home. He is in capable hands, I assure you but somehow I don't feel a sense of ease if I leave him for too long. I guess this is a time as any to say to myself, Hey! Welcome to motherhood!A day in my life sees me waking up like a zombie, bathing and changing Micah either after or just before his next feed. Then I get someone to watch over him while I myself, shower, change, make the bed and wash his bottles.Breakfast can be leisurely depending on whether he's gone to sleep. I usually load myself with caf... More About: Baby
No More Mr.Nice Guy
2008-05-24 05:54:00 It used to be a polite request for milk. Not anymore. Either Micah's appetite has increased or he has learned to demand!Or it could be that I am so sound asleep that I don't hear his polite requests which then escalates to a loud cry? Oh dear!As for the wind in the stomach which causes a lot of discomfort, Mom has a remedy in the form of this traditional medicated oil which is black, smells and stains the clothes and is called Leng Tou Windy Oil! What a name!I think the paediatrician might not approve of the application of funny oils. I was a bit skeptical as well when Mom suggested to use it and she even claims that it is safe for consumption (No Way!) but with Micah's stomach bloated and he seemed to be always trying to fart, unsuccessfully, I was willing to do anything to ease his pain.After one application, Micah is better off and I am convinced that it is the oil. And I am actually using the bottle that was used for my nephew when he was a baby - here's hoping there isn't ... More About: Baby , Nice
Old Wives Tales and What a Night!
2008-05-23 09:58:00 Micah must be missing David!David flew back to Ningbo on Wednesday morning and that was when Micah stopped sleeping easily after his feed. We were warned by all experienced mothers that the first 2 weeks might be a breeze when babies sleep a lot and now I am learning that they change their patterns.Last night was a bit stressful when he woke suddenly screaming. I knew it wasn't hunger since I fed him an hour before. He was all red and scrunching up his legs and was obviously in pain. My mom happened to be around and when she felt his head, it was cold and clammy. Mom claims that, that was a sign of a tummy ache. I guess this old wives' tale happens to be true.So with a bit of Chinese medicated oil and lots of cuddling he was better in no time but that wasn't the end of it. All thorough out the night he was waking and fussing making sure that I didn't sleep soundly. In the end I had to prop him up on a big pillow. He definitely sounded much better after that - no more grunting an... More About: Baby , Night , Tales , Wives
Babies...
2008-05-18 05:46:00 don't smell very nice. At least not the powdery fresh or baby lotion smell that I was expecting.A lot of people like the smell of babies. I have to say that the smell is growing on me but to describe the smell as nice is a bit misleading. I must say that I kept sniffing Micah to discover the nice baby smell that everyone was telling me about. My sister says she likes the smell and misses it - her youngest boy is already in his toddler years and definitely do not smell babyish anymore.Since Micah is less than a month old, we are cautioned not to put too many lotions, potions, or powder on him because his skin is still very delicate and might not take to the chemicals (Nobody uses talcum powder on babies anymore for fear of inhalation of the fine talc). I only bathe him with water. I was advised to put some baby oil into the bath water because his skin is very dry and peeling but after a visit to the paed, was told that this is normal - babies' skin peels within the first 3 weeks. S... More About: Baby , Babies
Babies are...
2008-05-14 11:38:00 not very environmentally friendly!I realize that since I've had Micah, my carbon footprint is getting so much larger. And I think I've destroyed a small acre of rain forest already! First, the energy.We have to keep the fan switched on the whole time since its so warm in Malaysia and we are using the air conditioner at night because it's just too hot in the bedroom.We need to sterilize his bottles at least twice a day which uses electricity. We also use a lot of boiled water and hot water which means gas and electricity.Then the disposables.Diapering is literally like cutting down trees! Not to mention the amount of cotton needed to clean him when changing his diaper.There is also water.All clothes, towels and napkins are washed after every use so that babies are in contact with sterile things. This also means lots of laundry. We also use a lot of water to wash his bottles.I guess I could try switching to cloth nappies but I seriously don't think I can manage all the cleaning an... More About: Baby , Environment , Travel , Babies , Awareness
Funny Noises
2008-05-13 17:12:00 Babies sure make a lot of funny noises.Micah hiccups, sneezes, grunts, pants, farts, wheezes and squeaks! Of course there is also the crying when he is hungry.It gets a bit worrying sometimes when he sounds like he's gasping for air when he feeds but the paediatrician assured us that it was normal for babies to make a lot of funny noises.Firstly, babies do not have nose hairs to filter the air that they breathe in thereby causing dust to irritate them and making them sneeze a lot. They are not cold and do not need to be covered up especially not in tropical Malaysia. Best rule of thumb is that if you are cold, then the baby would be too.Secondly their air passage is very tiny or not as developed hence causing the wheezing, grunting and sometimes squeaking whilst asleep.The squeaky noise he makes just makes him so much cuter! The farts too :) And I forgot to mention that he can really burp. Almost Homer or Bart Simpson like!We are definitely on a journey of discovery just like the ... More About: Personal , Funny , Baby
Mother's Day Shots
2008-05-11 05:20:00 Yawn!Oooh!Wink**For Mother's Day I got peed at by my son after his bath :)This experience should really teach me to not shower first before giving Micah a bath. I made an exception today since he was still sleeping and I didn't want to lounge about in my PJs. Also everyone else went to church and I know couldn't shower if there was nobody to watch over him.Anyways, I managed to do everything on my own and settle him downstairs. I even managed to try out my new camera on him while he was awake.I used a 50mm f1.8 lens to try out some bokeh shots. Steven, if you are reading this...what do you think of my amateur shots? More About: Baby , Photography , Shots
I Finally...
2008-05-10 17:33:00 bought my DSLR. I got the older Canon entry level model, 400D which comes with a standard 18-55mm lens. I bought a 50-250mm zoom lens and another a 50mm f1.8 lens for my food photos. I paid slightly more than the cost of the latest 450D model. Although some people might say that I should have bought the newer model, I am quite satisfied with the 400D.I am now quite excited. It was already close to 10pm when I charged up the battery and I took some trial shots but I was fully satisfied. I can't wait to figure out all the functions and start taking photos of Micah.All in all it has been a great day. We had friends over in the morning, afternoon and evening who all dropped by to visit Micah. It was really nice to share our joy with them and nice to catch up and see their kids as well.After our friends left and since my mom was around to babysit Micah for a bit, David and I borrowed my sister's car and went to do some shopping! Not the leisurely kind but mainly to buy the camera, som... More About: Baby , Photography , Finally
Happy Mother's Day to...
2008-05-09 06:46:00 David!I kid you not when I say that he deserves the 'Mother's Day' wish. He has been doing night duties without fail the past few days and I slept through most of it. I didn't even hear Micah cry and he sleeps in a moses basket right next to me! David thought I was pretending to sleep but after calling me a few times realized that I was in deep slumber.I am truly glad that David is a hands on dad. After the initial first day adjustment, David seems to take to taking care of an infant in stride and offering more times than not, to feed Micah. David's initial reluctance to change diapers is also gone.It is great to watch father and son bonding. I am truly thankful. More About: Personal , Baby , Happy
Bless My Son
2008-05-06 04:13:00 May he have the faith of AbrahamMay he have the boldness of PaulMay he have the heart like DavidAlways seeking God always seeking GodFather God bless my sonMay he grow to be a man of GodMay he have the wisdom of SolomonMay he have the patience of JobMay he be a leader like JoshuaAlways full of hope always full of hopeMay he have the courage of DanielMay he have the love of JohnMay he know Your voice like SamuelAnd always obey God always obey GodNancy Gordon and Martin J.Nystrom More About: Baby
Song of Dedication
2008-05-04 05:36:00 By Nancy Gordon & Rhonda Scelsi and sung by Rita Baloche.Lord I dedicate yes I consecrateMy son to You for Your purposesFor Your perfect plansFor all the things You'll have him to doLord I give back to YouThis child You've given meFor he belongs to YouHe's just a loan of love a gift from aboveAnd I give him back to YouFor he belongs to YouHe's just a loan of loveA gift from above and I give him backBack to You I give him back to YouPlace within Your hands O Lord. More About: Personal , Religion , Baby , Song , Dedication
A New Chapter
2008-05-03 16:50:00 Now begins a new chapter in our lives. We've had Micah home since Wednesday afternoon and since then we've hardly had time to think about anything except tending to his needs. Feeding and changing diapers for him is a continuous matter.We survived our first night with very little sleep since we were not quite familiar with his feeding pattern and also not experienced enough to feed him more to last more than 1 1/2 hours. Waking up to his cries that first night was one tough exercise and then trying to fall asleep again took a while. And before we knew it, he was crying again!The last 2 nights were so much better after David and I got into a routine and now knew that we can burp him then feed him more. He's been an angel so far needing very little attention after his feed and falling asleep even before the last few mouthfuls of milk. He suckles very well and takes in his milk pretty fast only needing a bit of persuasion now and then.I have been doing the diapering and David is res... More About: Baby , Chapter
Thank You...
2008-04-29 04:39:00 for all the well wishes from family and friends. I know everyone is excited to see Micah but we hope that you will give us some time to settle down. We are also eager to introduce him to all.We are at the moment researching to find him a Chinese name. More About: Baby
Social Networking
2008-04-24 17:32:00 I know there are always different school of thoughts for everything and Facebook probably generates a few thoughts in those who either use it and love it or use it and hate that it is addictive. I find Facebook great for catching up with people I already know and lately for keeping in touch with extended family.It is really great that my cousins and I are networking with each other using FB. Quite a few of us have hooked up and added each other and though we may not always meet, unless there is a birth or wedding, this is one way we can touch base with each other once in a while. Blogging helped too - by keeping my family updated on what's happening in my life.And because we are in touch, it is great to receive encouragement from them when they find out that we are about to adopt a baby.I am constantly amazed at what we can achieve with the internet. More About: Social , Family , Technology , Social Networking , Friends
DSLR
2008-04-23 08:28:00 I've finally persuaded David to buy a DSLR camera. It is timely. I have contemplated getting one many times before but have always gone for compacts for ease of use when traveling.Ever since I've started blogging, I have felt a certain deficiency in the compact. My photos do not have the quality like those I admire from food blogs like Rasa Malaysia and Jaden's Steamy Kitchen. I get a certain thrill when seeing their well taken photos - close up of food with a blurry background (the term in Japanese is called bokeh).Steven helped me narrow down a few entry level DSLR cameras and I've just gone to do a survey of the retail prices. Steven is a professional photographer and he has published a coffee table book titled, Malaysians launched not long ago. My brother is also into photography and gave me some tips too.I am almost certain that I will buy a Canon but want to make a comparison between the EOS400D or the latest model EOS450D. Eric from my regular camera shop advised me to ge... More About: Photography
Preparation
2008-04-23 08:17:00 My brother came over yesterday evening and unloaded all his baby things on me. Tobey, my nephew is about 7 mths and outgrew a lot of his clothes so our baby will benefit. I can't believe that I am already equipped! My sister has also been a great help. She is providing me with most of the essential items and most importantly, advice.My cousin who is a registered midwife has offered to stop by when the baby comes home from the hospital to teach me the basics and to check on the baby. By the way she co-authored the book Asian Parenting Today. I find it very easy to read and loaded with valuable advise in the Asian context. A much needed read for mothers to be.Today I did my first real shopping for the baby. I bought a set of new clothes and sleepwear plus a baby blanket. Actually I didn't have to but I couldn't resist buying a new set of clothes for the baby to wear when we bring him back from the hospital.David has been calling me every night for updates - I think the excitement i... More About: Personal , Baby , Preparation
Sandpapered
2008-04-22 11:27:00 I feel as if someone took sandpaper and stripped off a layer of my skin! That's how microdermabrasion works in layman's terms. I went to see a skin specialist because I am having breakouts which is probably the onset of adult acne. It's been bothering me and one of the things I needed to do before the baby comes is to treat my skin.So I am on antibiotics and the doctor also recommended a skin care range and used the microdermabrasion method which is said to help with acne. The only unusual thing was that the skin care range came in clear bottles without labels (except for those that indicated what the product was for). When asked, the doctor was reluctant to reveal the name or brand of the skincare. My skin can't be any worse if I used those prescribed so I decided to give it a try.While I was waiting for my meds, a delivery guy came with a package. I overheard the one of the girls tell another to put them straight in the fridge because they were botox. I casually asked if botox... More About: Personal , Blogging
I Am Not...
2008-04-21 06:56:00 ...that wise after all.What I thought to be my wisdom tooth trying to grow turned out to be the bone. I am RM100 poorer but my mind is set at ease. The oral surgeon wouldn't recommend surgery to take it out unless it causes me a lot of pain and the way he sees it, it shouldn't. So the question is what was bugging me all this time?I figure that it could be psychological. The fact that I felt some tenderness and something protruding, I immediately felt pain! Now I have an x-ray of my teeth for keeps - I can stare at it if I lose mine later in life.At least that's one less thing to worry about with the baby coming. Next on the to do list is to plan to collect and store the stem cells from the cord when the baby is born. More About: Personal , Baby
Excitement
2008-04-20 11:20:00 The excitement is building up for me. Our baby will be born in about 2 weeks. I am so glad to be staying with my sister as she has dealt with newborns before with both her 2 boys. I am relying on her and my brother for advice - my brother's baby boy is now 6 months. I have 3 nephews and since we are expecting a boy, I get all their hand me downs - very cost efficient.Today I shopped for some essential things for the baby with my sister's help. I seriously have no idea what to expect. I find learning from other people's experience easier and less stressful. Knowing myself, too much knowledge is not helpful because I tend to over analyze. I want to take things easy and to be mentally strong to handle things on my own in preparation for the time when we travel back to China and I will be without help. Obsessing over small things is definitely not going to ease the work which comes with having a newborn baby who is totally reliant on us for its care.I will concentrate on praying for ... More About: Personal , Baby , Excitement
I Did It
2008-04-19 11:37:00 For someone who was computer illiterate up until a few years back, I've come far. I guess it's a case of learning out of necessity when I had my home office.At first, it was so frustrating - the pulling hair out kinda frustration! I almost gave up but had to persevere if I wanted internet connection. And it was really a chicken and egg situation. Without the internet, I couldn't find out how to do things!Computer language was Greek to me but I've somehow mastered the necessary phrases and abbreviations without truly knowing the meaning.I am able to blog today because I finally helped my sister set up wireless connection in her home. I am staying here for the next 6 months or more while the adoption process is ongoing. I am really glad I will be connected. Not so much for blogging :) but more for David to call me on skype and see the baby with a webcam. More About: Personal , Blogging
All Alone
2008-04-15 15:56:00 I made it to Shanghai from Ningbo all alone for the first time on Tuesday. David usually travels with me but he took a later train that day because of some meetings.It was quite an adventure, traveling alone. I hadn't done that in a while. When I arrived at the Shanghai South Railway Station, I was tempted to take a taxi to the motel as it was raining. Good thing I checked the forecast and had my umbrella with me. And since I was equipped I braved the crowds and got a metro ticket. There were so many people there who didn't know how to use the ticket machine and that caused quite a jam. I am just glad there is an English interface. I would have made the people behind me quite upset if I took a while to figure which button to press and finding People's Square in Chinese. This lady behind me was quite fascinated that I used English. You must understand that queuing in China means being squashed together in a line and people behind peering over your shoulders!So I got my ticket and ... More About: Travel
Beijing Olympic
2008-04-13 07:33:00 There is so much excitement yet a lot of controversy. Follow the torch... More About: Travel , Olympic , Beijing
Thank You
2008-04-13 04:25:00 I got thank you notes from my godsons. Harry is almost 5 and it was such a cute handwritten note. Joshua is only 2 so he didn't quite managed to write the note but I see that he tried signing off with the help of his mom.They sure made me feel warm and fuzzy when I received them :) More About: Personal , Family , Friends
Spring
2008-04-12 08:05:00 Spring is finally in the air for me. I know flowers were already blooming a few weeks back but the temperature has been a bit too cold for spring.Today is a beautiful day and I say so because we are eating al fresco at the Hongmei Entertainment street. It is nice and cool, the sun is out but it is still shady where we are having a late lunch.I am satiated with the shopping and now feeding myself while resting my feet. At times like these, it is good to give thanks.I'd better get back to my lunch before it gets cold. More About: Travel , Food , Spring
Mobile Blogging
2008-04-12 03:29:00 I am in Shanghai at the moment and accessing free internet from our room at Motel 168. Another great reason to stay at this motel though I wonder how long it will be before they start charging.And I am using David's Asus Eee PC a UMPC! It is so convenient for travel and since lots of places in Shanghai provides free WiFi, I feel connected all the time. Good and bad, I guess.We are here for a few reasons. To meet Michelle my friend from Melbourne who traveled all the way to Chengdu to be mauled by baby Pandas. She's stopped over in Shanghai. I've seen some of her pictures and the pandas are just so cute. I am going to ask her permission to post a picture she sent me. It was nice to be able to meet up with her and Paul. I didn't get to see Paul in Melbourne when I was there earlier this year.Celine Dion is another reason but her concert was yesterday night and we had so much problems trying to get tickets that we gave up. The closest I got to hear her sing was listening to some of... More About: Mobile , Travel , Food , Friends , Blogging
We Forgot...
More articles from this author:2008-04-10 04:25:00 our Anniversary!It just went by like any other day without either of us noticing the date. I can't believe that I forgot too. I am usually very good at remembering - planning way ahead and telling David what he should get me for a present! I guess our minds have been preoccupied with the impending birth of the baby.We are thinking to go for a last beach holiday as a couple before the baby comes. Maybe this will help make up for the forgotten anniversary celebration! Then again I am not sure if I will be able to enjoy myself because I'd be worrying about getting a call in the middle of the night and we are too far away to rush the birth mother to the hospital. The due date should be a week away when both of us are back in Kuala Lumpur!Anyways, we are getting more excited now - though we've been keeping it in check - nothing is certain until we hold the baby in our arms. We also want the birth mother to be sure about her decision to let us care for the baby - she has the final say. More About: Personal , Family 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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