So we took Jada to the doctor again.
She gained quite a bit of weight!!! She is now 3.3Kg (7.27Lbs), which is an increase of .8 Kg (1.76lbs) in two weeks. She is also now 53 cm (20.86 inches). This makes us quite happy. She is still in the low end of the percentiles, but that is putting her against full term month old babies. She is in a good range for if she was just born. Because she has good weight gain, the doctors are not too concerned. In every other way she is healthy as can be, and we are really glad to get this news.
We pick up her visa tomorrow, so it seems like we are all set to go home next week. We are planning to do Jada's blessing while we are there, that first Sunday we are home in Lethbridge.
China is gearing up for the big 60th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China on Oct 1. It is going to be HUGE! There have been a couple of times (one a few weeks ago, another tomorrow) where they are doing rehearsals for the parade (including tanks!) so have to shut down downtown Beijing. It would be really intresting to see, but home is more important right now.
See you next week!
2009/09/17
2009/09/14
fluke or not...we will see
Jada rolled over today, probably just a fluke as she is only one month old and can't even hold her head up, but it was cool none the less. She was having some belly time, we do this so she can practice lifting her head and strenethen her neck muscles, and she got her head over, took a break and then the rest of her body followed with a push. Pretty cool. You all must think we are new parents or something. hehe! It's true, we are such proud parents and we love our little girl.
2009/09/10
We're on a roll
The Canadian embassy emailed us today and said that Jads's Passport is ready to be picked up. We are being blessed so much. We can get her chinese visa, that she needs inorder for us to take her out of the country started. Her passport is ready 5 days early, and the chinese visa should only take 5 buisness days so we should be able to have every thing ready to go by the monday before we leave. We are going to get the last steps rolling tomorrow. Mike has a day off so it is perfect timing. On the list of things to do tomorrow 1) Pick up her passport 2) Register her at the police station 3) Apply for her visa.
2009/09/07
Jada is such a smart girl
Before Jada was born I did a bunch of research on the way that they potty train their babies in Asia/Africa because I found it really interesting. I have since developed a method that is a mix of the way it is done in the west and how it is done here in china that I feel comfortable with. If you ever come to China and have never heard of the way they potty train their babies you will be really confused when you see all these babies and kids wearing pants that have a big slit from front to back in the crotch of the pants and bare bottoms. You are probably already confused. Essenially they start potty training their babies when they are infants. They observe the times when the baby pees and pooes, then teach the baby to associate a sound made by the parent with peeing and pooing that they use as a cue and offer the baby potty breaks at those times. The split crotch pants are for convienence. They just hold the baby in a sqwat and the baby goes, no messing with pulling down pants. Where their babies go around bare bottomed I been using diapers and we have been taking it slow to start. For the first two weeks I just made a sound everytime I noticed that she was eliminating and observed at what times. The third week when I would change her diaper I used the cue sound to encourage her to empty her bowels before I changed her diaper. Today I started offering potty breaks and I am amazed at how well she has caught on. She pees and poos, as long as she has some, when I make the cue in the toilet. I sit on the toilet and I hold her in a sqwat with her back and head resting against me. When she can sit I will get her a the traditional potty-training potty. I am so thrilled that I just had to share it. I expected it to be a while before I started seeing progress but she has surprised me. We definetly are not going to put her in underware anytime soon, at least not until we have using the potty established for a while and she is not having to many misses, which are inevitable, we are just taking it slow. I probably won't ever use the split crotch pants although she already has some that were given to her as gifts. I am taking a relaxed, slow, no pressure approach. I just offer and if she takes it she does if not she doesn't and the diaper is always there for
back-up. It works for us. It is more about Jada learning other ways to communicate with us and saving her some diaper rash along the way. And between you and me, I kind of dread the struggle of potty training a toddler, this is so much easier.
back-up. It works for us. It is more about Jada learning other ways to communicate with us and saving her some diaper rash along the way. And between you and me, I kind of dread the struggle of potty training a toddler, this is so much easier.
2009/09/01
Thoughts on Being a father
So, Mikey is a father... Yea, I know. I'm scared too.
Even thought I was excited about the prospect of fatherhood from the time I found out Chelsey was pregnant, and I would always talk to the bean when she was in the womb, I was still scared, and nervous about it. However, now with Jada here the fears are a less. I still worry sometimes about things, such as if I am going to be a good father for when she is older, if I will figure life out sooner than later, and all the other questions that I have. Chelsey has been such a huge help with this, as she always has faith that I will be a great father, and that I will be able to figure things out, and that all things will work out fine.
Most guys are a little envious of their friends who are fathers. We want to see the kid be happy when they see us. So I am actually happy to be a father, even if it is a little strange. Even though Jada is not yet old enough to knowingly smile, I know that she is happy when I am there.
From the time that we took Chelsey to the hospital, and we found out that Jada was on her way, I was both scared and excited. This was not what we had planned at all, yet it was happening. I am so glad that we had people we could call - such as Jeff Hall, one of the councilors in the branch presidency. I don't know what I would have done with out having anyone to turn to! I was scared, because it was happening really fast. But excited, as I was going to be a father... But truth be told, I was not really excited until after she came.
It is a time that I will never forget. Even though I got light headed and needed to sit right after Jada came out, I remember hearing her cry, and the doctors say "shes OK". There was a huge wave of relief wash over me, and I was happy both mom and baby were good. After a few minutes, the doctors were done with Jada, and even though they would not let me hold her because she was premature, I got to sit beside her.
I put my hand on her back and just looked at her. She had a very tired, but happy look to her. She was very alert, and was looking around, and looking at me. When our eyes met, I knew that she knew me. She knew where she was, and was happy. I can't describe the feelings that I got when I looked at her, but it was really special. I was also quite amazed at how well she looked, and how pleased she seemed that she made it here.
So far, being a father has been fairly easy, even thought I don't get all the smiles that will come. I do my best to make sure Chelsey's and Jada's needs are met, which means that I need to work to make money. I also run (or continue to run) most of the errands, so Chelsey can get her rest. I enjoy having Jada around, and love spending what time I can with her. I love how she looks at me sometimes, and gets hints of a grin.
It is a special thing, being a father. Even though most of the time I have no idea what I am doing, I am glad to have this opportunity.
Even thought I was excited about the prospect of fatherhood from the time I found out Chelsey was pregnant, and I would always talk to the bean when she was in the womb, I was still scared, and nervous about it. However, now with Jada here the fears are a less. I still worry sometimes about things, such as if I am going to be a good father for when she is older, if I will figure life out sooner than later, and all the other questions that I have. Chelsey has been such a huge help with this, as she always has faith that I will be a great father, and that I will be able to figure things out, and that all things will work out fine.
Most guys are a little envious of their friends who are fathers. We want to see the kid be happy when they see us. So I am actually happy to be a father, even if it is a little strange. Even though Jada is not yet old enough to knowingly smile, I know that she is happy when I am there.
From the time that we took Chelsey to the hospital, and we found out that Jada was on her way, I was both scared and excited. This was not what we had planned at all, yet it was happening. I am so glad that we had people we could call - such as Jeff Hall, one of the councilors in the branch presidency. I don't know what I would have done with out having anyone to turn to! I was scared, because it was happening really fast. But excited, as I was going to be a father... But truth be told, I was not really excited until after she came.
It is a time that I will never forget. Even though I got light headed and needed to sit right after Jada came out, I remember hearing her cry, and the doctors say "shes OK". There was a huge wave of relief wash over me, and I was happy both mom and baby were good. After a few minutes, the doctors were done with Jada, and even though they would not let me hold her because she was premature, I got to sit beside her.
I put my hand on her back and just looked at her. She had a very tired, but happy look to her. She was very alert, and was looking around, and looking at me. When our eyes met, I knew that she knew me. She knew where she was, and was happy. I can't describe the feelings that I got when I looked at her, but it was really special. I was also quite amazed at how well she looked, and how pleased she seemed that she made it here.
So far, being a father has been fairly easy, even thought I don't get all the smiles that will come. I do my best to make sure Chelsey's and Jada's needs are met, which means that I need to work to make money. I also run (or continue to run) most of the errands, so Chelsey can get her rest. I enjoy having Jada around, and love spending what time I can with her. I love how she looks at me sometimes, and gets hints of a grin.
It is a special thing, being a father. Even though most of the time I have no idea what I am doing, I am glad to have this opportunity.
My thoughts on motherhood
With Jada has come alot of change to our lives, but all good changes. When we first found out we were pregnant I remember a couple in the ward who had a new baby telling us how wonderful it was being parents. They were so tired yet they didn't mind because they were so filled with love for their new baby girl. I feel the same way about Jada. She is so precious and also so helpless and dependent. Having the responsibility of her health and wellbeing on my shoulders is humbling, intimidating, and love enhancing all rolled into one. I love being a mother. Every moment we share together is so precious to me. I love her with a tenderness and only want the best for her.
A sacred experience that I will never forget was the first time that I looked into Jada's eyes and her into mine shortly after she was born. Behind her eyes was maturity beyond her few short moments on earth and recognition, she knew me, and was very pleased to be here. There was a moment of unspoken communication that passed between us. An hour later when I saw her again at NICU, that was gone, she had the look of a sweet, innocent and ignorant little newborn. I feel so priviledged to be her mother, I felt her spirit and she is full of so much peace and kindness. Other mothers have told me that they had the same experience and that it happened with everyone of their children. It is a very special experience that is deficult to put into words. One that I will always hold sacred in my heart.
She is such an easy baby and I have had a really quick recovery and so adjustments have come easy. I have really felt that my body and mind have been blessed to help me with the task. Normally it would be very taxing on my body to be on a twenty-four hour schedule that required me to be awake for an hour every 2-3 hours but somehow my body has adapted very quickly and easily. I was scared that for the middle of the night feedings I would not wake up but from day one my body has woke me up at regular intervals went it is time for Jada to feed and I look in Jada's basinette to find her awake with those happy eyes looking up at me and sucking on her fingers telling me she is hungry. Also Mike read online that a womans milk will adjust to meet the needs of her premature baby. I have also read that the most perfect nutrition for a growing baby comes from the baby's mothers milk and that there is no substitute, not even another womans milk. It is really miraculous if you think about. Every detail of how are bodies work is so perfectly set up.
I know that I have been blessed. Just in the fact alone that Jada is healthy and thriving. I want nothing more than for her to achieve her greatest potential. We gave her the Chinese Name yu xuan hoping that she will emulate the characteristics in that name. Yu wishes that she will speak beautiful, kind words always and Xuan wishes that she will easily forget her troubles and therefore live a happy life. Her english name Jada not only represents a aspect of chinese culture and the country of her birth, but it stands for virtue, purity, grace and beauty in many chinese idioms. We hope that her names will be a reminder to her when she comes across choices in life and help to shape her life and her attitude towards it. I know that more important than a name will be the environment we have in our home and the guidance and teachings that we provide for her. Her joy and success means so much to me. Now more than ever I feel the importance of my influence, my example. I am greatful to my parents for the examples they have been to me and the loving environment I grew up in. I have had a very blessed life because of my parents.
A sacred experience that I will never forget was the first time that I looked into Jada's eyes and her into mine shortly after she was born. Behind her eyes was maturity beyond her few short moments on earth and recognition, she knew me, and was very pleased to be here. There was a moment of unspoken communication that passed between us. An hour later when I saw her again at NICU, that was gone, she had the look of a sweet, innocent and ignorant little newborn. I feel so priviledged to be her mother, I felt her spirit and she is full of so much peace and kindness. Other mothers have told me that they had the same experience and that it happened with everyone of their children. It is a very special experience that is deficult to put into words. One that I will always hold sacred in my heart.
She is such an easy baby and I have had a really quick recovery and so adjustments have come easy. I have really felt that my body and mind have been blessed to help me with the task. Normally it would be very taxing on my body to be on a twenty-four hour schedule that required me to be awake for an hour every 2-3 hours but somehow my body has adapted very quickly and easily. I was scared that for the middle of the night feedings I would not wake up but from day one my body has woke me up at regular intervals went it is time for Jada to feed and I look in Jada's basinette to find her awake with those happy eyes looking up at me and sucking on her fingers telling me she is hungry. Also Mike read online that a womans milk will adjust to meet the needs of her premature baby. I have also read that the most perfect nutrition for a growing baby comes from the baby's mothers milk and that there is no substitute, not even another womans milk. It is really miraculous if you think about. Every detail of how are bodies work is so perfectly set up.
I know that I have been blessed. Just in the fact alone that Jada is healthy and thriving. I want nothing more than for her to achieve her greatest potential. We gave her the Chinese Name yu xuan hoping that she will emulate the characteristics in that name. Yu wishes that she will speak beautiful, kind words always and Xuan wishes that she will easily forget her troubles and therefore live a happy life. Her english name Jada not only represents a aspect of chinese culture and the country of her birth, but it stands for virtue, purity, grace and beauty in many chinese idioms. We hope that her names will be a reminder to her when she comes across choices in life and help to shape her life and her attitude towards it. I know that more important than a name will be the environment we have in our home and the guidance and teachings that we provide for her. Her joy and success means so much to me. Now more than ever I feel the importance of my influence, my example. I am greatful to my parents for the examples they have been to me and the loving environment I grew up in. I have had a very blessed life because of my parents.
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