I got a baby sling for Ethan and I

Today was a very busy day. I won't bore you with the details except to say I managed to lose my canadian passport before Ethan was born and today it was quite a trial trying to figure out the process of declaring it missing to the local immigration office but Adam managed to talk to a wonderful lady at the Canadian Trade office and things are in process.

The good news is that Ethan and I are extremely happy with my new purchase of a baby sling. I managed to find a baby sling company here in Taichung and their main office is actually quite close to where we live. www.lulusling.com . The website is in chinese but when I called, they said that they would send someone over to the house and teach me how to use it. Talk about wonderful customer service! Sure enough, Miss Chang came over and within a few minutes Ethan was happily dozing in the sling and my arms were free to do whatever I wished.

As of this moment, (12:50am) he is in the sling alseep so I am able to type with 2 hands. For new moms out there, I highly recommend it. It's such a wonderful, close feeling to have him cuddled against you while you are free to do chores and go for walks with out sore arms.

You may be wondering why I am not asleep at this time.

Well, Adam and I, due to sleep deprivation have taken on baby duty.

I look after Ethan from 10am- 5am ( well A-ma: My mom, Claudia- helps out for 4 hrs in the day, Gong-Gong: My dad: Jim -comes over for a few hrs after supper time and Adam shares responsibility with me when he is finished working).
Then, at around midnight,(although i try to get him to go to sleep sooner) Adam goes to sleep until 5 am in the master bedroom while I'm with Ethan in his room. At 5am , Adam goes to the Ethan's room and I go to the master bedroom for 4hrs sleep until about 9am. Then I go to relieve Adam and he gets ready for work. So we both get about 4-5 hrs of sleep. I'm luckier since I can nap during the day with Ethan but I think my body is getting used to the shorter sleep hrs and there is so much to be done- washing bottles, dishes, sterilizing bottles and teats, breastfeeding, eating, changing diapers, doing laundry and before you know it - the day is over. I'm lucky if I can get away from the house to run errands.

I'm glad Adam works at home Thurs and Fri just to be around Ethan and I and if anyone is deserving of a New Father Award it is Adam. He has been an amazing daddy and husband to a hormonal wife and newborn son and so much more.

I'll post a pic with me, Ethan and the sling ( It has cute bees on it) as soon as Adam has some free time to take a photo. (Added: June 3rd:Ok.. so it's not me and it's not Ethan but Adam has been too busy to take a picture of us...)

Lots of luv to you all,

Joanne

Baby Blues

Well, Shortly after the harrowing nail cutting experience, Mommy came down with a stomach infection and the medicine they gave me just made me sleepy and unresponsive - which led to a mild case of depression- baby blues-. At one point, I didn't feel any bond with Ethan nor did I want to be around him. We went to see a pychiatrist and he gave me meds but Adam and I agreed not to take them and see if I could get past it. So i 've spent more time getting rest with the help of my parents, and the most supportive, understanding and wonderful husband in the world. I started breastfeeding soon after I had finished the stomach infection meds and now Ethan and I are doing much better bonding wise. Also thanks for the support of my friends who have gotten me outta of the house and back on track: Janice, Donna, Samantha and so many more. Special thanks to Papa and Mama Zee for their support and advice which meant more than you can imagine. No picture this time. Luv Joanne

Ethan in his bouncy chair

Hey, this is mommy.

This is a pic of Ethan in his new bouncy chair. I might as well explain how he got his bouncy chair. It was due to extreme sorryness and guilt. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed his nails were getting long so I thought the nail clippers we got as a free gift from a baby shop would be ok to cut his nails. (Later did I find out that there are safety nail scissors which are the correct ones to use.)
In any case, I managed to clip his nails on one hand ( while he was awake) and then i tried the on other hand, but I clipped his finger tip of the middle finger. Ethan screamed, blood dripped and I was in tears. Adam was holding Ethan and stunned. We quickly bandaged his wee finger with gauze and 3M tape. We took him to the pediatrician and the doctor put iodine on the cut which made Ethan scream and me cry again. Then afterwards, we went to the baby store and picked out his bouncy chair which vibrates and plays music: The Fisher Price Kick and Play. He still has some growing to do before he really gets in to it.

Apparently, the whole experience was more traumatic for me since I spent that day and the next week crying over what I had done each and every time I looked at his finger.

The picture, taken by my best friend Samantha, is of Ethan drooling in his new bouncy chair.
Thanks Samantha!

Luv Joanne