Monday, February 25, 2008

1st Rollover!



A momentous day. We've trained hard for the last two/three weeks for this moment. A lot of tummy time. Most attempts were both frustrating and suffocating.

These pics were not really taken in 'real time'. It was a span of about half an hour. You can see her determination to roll. After each failed attempt... she would rest and recouperate.. then try again.








Her glorious success was finished off with a smile!

Now, what's the next challenge, Dad?!?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

4 months! That means...

Persephanie's 4 months old today. 2nd round of vaccinations are due!



See that look in her eyes... that's Persephanie burning the man's image into her subconscience FOREVER.


2nd shot. No problem.


3rd shot
Hey.. that one hurt a bit more!


A little Tylenol.. slept like a .. well.. baby.


The doctor was really surprise how big she got. He didn't say "fat", but that's what he's really referring to. Said she had "skinny legs" .. I'm pretty sure he was sayin it sarcastically.

Dr. Jerk.

New specs:
Weight = 16lbs
Length = 65cm (25 inches)
Head Dia = 39.5cm (15.5 inches)

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Jackpot!


My little piggy doesn't roll in mud. This is how she rolls!

This is a great incentive to have another kid! hehe
(Yes, this is all going to her schooling!)

Man, you know how much Montessori is these days!? I think this will only cover 2 weeks!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

My new "deluxe" home




$24.6 million? Worth every penny.

Click here to see more

Check out the 5th amenity!! Persephanie will always be obedient!! Yup... worth every penny.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Another embarrassing photo

Monkey feet and hairy shoulders wasn't enough...


Here we have back clevage.


O...Happy Century day, Persephanie!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Spider pig, Spider pig...


...Does whatever a spider pig does...
...Can she swing... from a web... no she can't... she's a pig...
...LOOK OUT!... here comes the spider pig!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Grandma's 98th Bday.



Cheap Vancouver's leaky condos... was the death of this gingerbread man.


Persephanie is the 11th great-grandchild here!

New car! (sorta)



This is truly a momentous day...

1) I did something I said I would never do. Buy a mini-van. I bought the 2008 Mazda5 GT at a really great deal though. It's Lina's Xmas present. (Too bad it doesn't look like the one above. At least ours is top-o-the-line still.. with heated leather seats!!)

2) Break the streak (18 straight) where I blog exclusively about Persephanie.


EDIT: Woops.. mentioned her, didn't I. Oh well.. the streak continues...

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas!



Chico there in the red is a pretty cool guy. And yes, Persephanie was constipated in that pic, cause Chico rudely awakened her. She wasn't happy about that.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

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.

Monday, December 10, 2007

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."

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

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.

Monday, December 03, 2007

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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

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.





Tuesday, November 20, 2007

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!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

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.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

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.