Another milestone for Persephanie

It's her 2nd month on Earth. Still kickin hard. Got her immunizations so she can kick harder. Took it pretty well. (for the exception of a bit of crankiness after the shots)

Specs:
- Weighin in at 11lbs 11oz. (almost twice her size of when she was born)
- 49.5cm tall.
- can sing now.

EDIT: Persephanie reacted to the immunization with a fever. 100.4 degrees! Made her sad. Made mom and dad sad.

Red Egg and Ginger Celebration pics

Someone asked me what exactly is the red egg and ginger mean... and you know what.. I have no idea. Someone tell me please!

EDIT: Got off my ass and did some extensive research on the topic (Googled it...)

" In Chinese culture, a baby's first month birthday calls for a celebration. Proud parents introduce their latest addition to friends and relatives by holding a red egg and ginger party. Traditionally, the baby's name is also announced at this time.

Guests attending red egg and ginger parties bring gifts. Lysee or "lucky money" in red envelopes is often given to baby boys, while girls may receive expensive jewelry. The guests don't leave empty handed, either. The parents hand out red-dyed eggs, symbolizing happiness and the renewal of life.

Red egg and ginger parties have their origins in ancient Chinese culture. As in other countries, infant mortality rates in China were quite high prior to the medical advances of the twentieth century. A baby who reached one month of age was likely to survive, and so the event was celebrated.

Traditionally, this was also a time to reintroduce the mother to the world. The Chinese believe mothers are in a highly weakened state in the period immediately following birth. Just as English custom calls for new mothers to enjoy a brief period of confinement, Chinese mothers have traditionally been expected to rest indoors for one full month after giving birth. This helped ensure they didn't become overtired, or contract any germs or illnesses from the outside world that could prove dangerous in their weakened state. Besides resting, they drank a nutritious broth made with pig's feet, eggs, vinegar and ginger. Many new mothers still follow this ritual today.

In the past, due to the traditional importance of male children in Chinese culture, red egg and ginger parties were sometimes given for boys only, or the celebration for boys was more elaborate. Today, parties are given for babies of both sexes.

In recent years, some of the traditions surrounding red egg and ginger parties have been modified. Parents may choose to hold the celebration at a fancy restaurant, complete with costumed Chinese performers or even a children's magician. Also, the baby may be anywhere from one to three months old by the time the party is held. But the custom of passing out red-dyed eggs continues. Parents may also use the brightly colored eggs to announce the birth; an even number of eggs are sent out for a boy, and an odd number to announce a baby girl."

STRONGER

There is one song that Persephanie has heard everyday of her life. Even before she was born... these tunes sent sonic vibes through her every fabric of life.

From conception to her first month birthday, she had overcome odds. She is stronger because of it.

Red Egg and Ginger celebration!

Despite a winter snow storm, 150 members of family and friends still managed to show up at Persephanie's full month celebration. Not too shabby. That night.. I think she got a little cold.. wasn't surprised.. so many people gettin so close to Persephanie.

Daddy broke his toe. Boohoo.

24hrs later.. all the snows gone. Woohoo for Vancouver.

Random parenthood thoughts

I'm still shocked at the whole "parenthood" concept. I really was just getting used to the "married" concept. The experience itself is overwelming to say the least. Any new parent would agree. But I remember a time when friends with new babies would tell me their experiences... I would just think to myself, "how hard could it be?!" ... boy, was I ever wrong.

Some random thoughts about parenthood I've picked up in the last month:

- I aged (at least) 5 years
- My arms are stronger now from the conditioning of cradling. (Not of weight, but of endurance)
- I've learned SO much about (the details of) parenthood. It simply shocking.
......- ie "Butt Paste"... simply amazing stuff. (Thanks Kristin!)
......- Babies talk. Not exactly "talk" talk, but they do have 5 distinctive "ehs".
.........- And I think I understand her! If that doesn't work.. I usually retort to telepathy.
- All those years of playing games (Sims series, Tamagotchi, etc) is starting to pay off.
- There is little rest for dad, and ABSOLUTE ZERO rest for mom.
- Advice. We get too much... and yet it's not enough.
- It's amazing how a little 10lbs girl can turn so many lives up-side down.
......- How many items are now littered around the house.
......- How much money was spent.
......- How mom pretty much lost her 'regular' life. And now resides in a 11'x14' world.
- Funny how all fathers are SO happy to welcome me into their 'club'. Or un-funny.
......- How co-workers are so sympathetic to my zombie-like persona.
- Sad how all errands must be finished within a 2 hour period.
- I miss pee-ing and poo-ing when *I* want to. Or need to.
- I wash my hands at least 30 times a day. No joke.
- Funny how when Persephanie sneezes, she poos a little.
- Not funny when I'm just finished the entire diaper change routine... she goes ahead and drops another one.
- Came to a sad realization that we aren't strong parents. We have so much support, yet it seems it's still not enough.
- Sad how I neglected EVERYTHING else in my life. (Grandparents,friends,house,cars,fish,etc.)
- Sad to see I only blog about one thing.
- Work-stress is NOTHING compared to Keeping-the-baby-alive-Stress.
- Horrifically amazed how anyone would do this again. They MUST be sadistic.
......- This further amazes me to wonder how the human race is still kickin around.
......- Knowing VERY CLEARLY that this is a TRULY painful and torturous process.
......- Anyone telling you "It's easy, everyone does it"... is just a straight up lie.

After all that's said... when I see her crack that smile*, I almost forget all of the above.



*Never too sure if it's a genuine smile or if she's just constipated.

New Grandparents.. yea!

It's good to see my parents back in Vancouver for a visit. Bringing "home" back. It's a good feeling. And they're really happy to finally meet Persephanie.


Ballin'


This is how my daughter rolls.

Official 1st month!

Today is Persephanie's 1st month old celebration!! woohoo.. she's officially alive according to Chinese customs! Whew. She gets to eat a whole pig (if she had teeth) and cake too!
(And Lina can finally wash her hair!!)

Four generations of happy women!! (that's 97 years apart!!)
What a feast.

and where am I?!? ... at work. 8`(

Can't wait for the big feast though!

18 days old

EDIT: Nov 9, 2007
Measured Persephanie today... 56cm.
She grew 17cm in 20 days.
Man, she's a growin!!

EDIT: Nov 11, 2007
ok.. the pictures are starting to look the same now.. all sleeping or just empty gazes. Cute... but, it only goes so far. Today, Persephanie developed a nasty looking rash. Hope it's ok. Dr. internet says it's "normal"... but, we'll see what a real doctor says next week.

She's starting to look funny. And not "cute" funny either. I would say weird. Elf-like sometimes and Yoda-like at others.

Oh. that pic of the "big" picture .. it really isn't .. it's the 4"x6". Lina took that picture in front of a mirror. And the pic is stuck on the mirror.

EDIT: Nov 13, 2007
Persephanie saw the doctors today re: the rash. Just as I suspected.. all normal. Persephanie will just have to endure her ugliness for a month or two. C'est La Vie. Poor girl.
6 more days to Lina's freedom!!! Viva la freedom!!

EDIT: Nov 16, 2007
I miss Persephanie. Her rash is getting worse. I'm sad. I did put some Butt Paste on though!! Hope that stuff works.

EDIT: Nov 18, 2007
Persephanie's face is getting lighter, I think. Not so "red indian"

Saw a doctor about the rash for a second opinion. Again, said it was normal. Gave her some cream, and it seemed to help the uglies a bit. She gained roughly 3lbs since birth! (almost 9.5lbs now!)

Persephanie also had problems poo-ing. There just wasn't any. (I personally didn't mind this fact.) But, too bad I know that can't be good for her. Doc gave us some suppositories. Yea.. that's fun. But, damn.. did it work!

Now, another problem came up. Boogers. Alot of it... so much that I hear her breathing has some difficulty. Tried the bulb. no good. Tried the saline. no good. My next attempt is to simply suck it out with my mouth.... yummy. Man, I guess I do have to earn my father's day gifts.

BFF

I <3 Persephanie...




I like this pic Lina took of us. (ok.. I photochopped it a bit further)

2 weeks old now!

EDIT: (Monday, Nov 5)
I'm home now. Have to be here for work. Without Lina or Persephanie.... I'm sad. And I'm sick. Which makes me more sad.
I miss them.

Ms. Grumpyface (aka Snobinator)

Happy Halloween!

Our little SpiderPig!!!

Monkey feet

First the hairy shoulders and back... now:


Love how my girl's got monkey feet. It can totally grab on to me!

Lifeline broken

This little piece is what came off my little girl's belly button today.
(it tastes like beef jerky)





Just kidding.

Persephanie pics (#2)

Persephanie looks SO much different than she did from day#1!

Happy Birthweek!

Made it through the first week! Sure, it was easy... eating, sleeping, eating, pooping, sleeping...

Wish my life was as simple!
(at least have someone to wipe my ass)

Persephanie pics

This is a very familiar sight of me nowadays

I love this pic. My little monkey girl!!!! haha


You can see where her "hairy-ness" is from.. hehe

First Kiss




Getting ready to go home!


First ride home:


First nap in First Bed:


First Smile:
If there was ever a pic that made me cry.. this would be it. And I don't know why.

Quite the experience! Ran marathons before, but no where close to that kind of intensity of fatigue. 4 straight days without sleep!

Why 4 days? the first night was due to the "show". Also known as "the bloody show". This caught us off guard. Guess we weren't paying attention in class. A little detail that we really should've been looking out for. As we were panicking in the middle of the night.. we decided to just hop over to the hospital for some professional opinion. They laughed at us and sent us home. Second sleepness night was water breaking. Again drove to the hospital... they laughed at us and sent us home. Third sleepness night was the big contractions. At this point, we were afraid to get laughed at... but, we know this is the real deal... so we waited as long as we could. Too bad we couldn't sleep due to the pain. I didn't sleep because I needed to count everything. Fourth sleepness night was the baby. It's up to her to tell us when we could sleep now. (I guess that's for the next 6 months... *sigh*)

5 (seemingly) long hours of "early" labour before the doctor makes the call to go for the Caesarean. After we sign our waiver, it took all of 10 whole minutes to deliver! WHAT?!? Couldn't you have made that decision sooner?!?! Well, the experience, at least for me, could've been a simple blur... if I didn't get a chance to sneak in some photos!! haha Lina's experience WAS a blur... she was so hopped up on goof balls.

I have to say, the entire hospital stay was simply awesome. The staff at our maternity ward are the best. So kind and patient. (one of them, I swear, is a pornstar.. you know the one...the one with the nurse's outfit.) I don't know how they do it. Having to deal with frantic new parents all the time. It's quite stressful for new parents and they sure make it pleasant and provided us security and serenity. BC Women's hospital rocks! Not only that.. MSP rocks... they sent out a nurse to see if mom and baby is ok the next day too! With a bundle of stuff like books and DVDs and library cards. It's like a owners manual for the baby. Wonder if there's a return policy on her? haha.. just kidding. (And of course.... it's ALL FREE! I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love this country's medical plan!!!!!!) (Still hate the parking fees... $50 for 5 days... boo-urns)

Through the entire time, I keep having this feeling that what we're experiencing is unique. No one in the world has ever gone through what we have.. and no one would understand. So many things had to happen right. It was against all odds. Like all the stars in all the universes were aligned just for us. We ... ALONE.. did it. We made a human being. We thought we made a unique miracle. But, we're not unique. Everyone does it all the time... of ALL time. Now, THAT's a miracle.

I was so sure our baby was gonna be a freak of nature.
(yea.. I said it.)
I'm glad she turned out ... OK. Well, I think she looks like Yoda.

Lina said, ".... it's like a real life Tamagotchi!!..."

Lina and I gave her a life, but really, Persephanie gave us a new one.




EDIT: I have a really slow internet (wished our neighbor put his modem closer to our wall)... pics to come later..

Persephanie Raeleen Chan!!!

First family photo:
(we look tired!)


Cutting the cord:


Longest wait of my life:

No real time to blog right now.. got to go back to the hospital..

Please welcome the newest member of the Chan clan:
Persephanie Raeleen Chan was born Oct 20, 2007 @ BC Women's hospital

(by emergency C-section)
Weighing in at 6lbs 14oz.
Body length = 49cm
head diameter = 33cm

(She eats like a pig!)

There's more pics/videos.. (even some really grahic ones) ... I'll upload them when I get a chance to take a break again.

(we are EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!)

Water Broke!

4:12am this morning...

Just hanging out now... timing the contractions....blogging... 8D
Looks like its' gonna be 4 days early. Not bad overall.. seems everything's on schedule.

I'm exhausted! Lina seems to have alot of energy! She's been nesting for the last month. Making me shampoo the closet carpet 2am in the morning!

I think we'll go in an hour or so... hopefully traffic isn't too bad.

This may be the last time I blog as a non-father. Good bye! It was a good life. See you in the next!!!