Smile, you are on candid camera!

Finally it happened. I couldn't trick my parents no longer. I kept my smile so elusive from the camera for some time now. But finally yesterday my Dad had the last laugh. He caught my smile on camera. I have been smiling a lot lately - especially while dropping into a snooze. But each time Daddy ran to get the camera, I stopped. But yesterday when Mommy was having a little play with me after my feed, I smiled. Didn't notice Daddy behind Mommy with his Cam and the Click, Flash and that was it. History was made. My most precious smile was for everyone to see. Moving on to the next milestone.

Weight gain milestone

My stay in hospital got extended by a day since I lost little bit of more weight than I otherwise should have. Since then, it was a constant monitoring of my weight by my parents and checking back to the community health nurse every week. This week, it was no exception. A trip to the local health nurse, usual wait and then the most annoying part of the day... getting stripped in cold and put on the weighing scale. But to everyone's relief, I scored very positively! Which means, my weight gain is back on track! Yahoo!

Baby expo and more

Things are settling down slowly - coming out of all the excitement since April 29th. I had an average week - mostly adjusting my sleeping patterns, coping with some rashes and making my first trip out of the house.

Let's start with the last one. On Saturday, we went to visit pregnancy and baby expo in Sydney Olympic Park. It was a rather cold day - but I was quite okay. I tend to enjoy being driven in a car. And I quickly fall asleep in my car seat. The expo was ok - my parents didn't find it too exciting though. But they did buy me a baba sling - so Daddy can free his arms at night when he is putting me to sleep.

I am changing my sleeping patterns a little at a time. My parents are saying I need to figure out what's day and what's night. Little do they know I just wanna see them sleepy walking around or trying to feed me (ha ha ha). Some rashes on my forehead probably isn't helping them either. Although I need to find out how best to tell my parents if I need food or I am just uncomfortable.

Earlier in the week, we visited the community child center for my weigh-in. Looks like I did pretty good in the last few days as I recovered all the lost weight and was now little over my birth weight. My current feeding pattern is working well for me it seems.

Happy Mother's Day, mommy!

This morning daddy and I woke up early and greeted mommy with a breakfast in bed. Of course mommy had to fix my breakfast before she could have hers. But it was a good start. When I grow big, I sure I will fix her lot many breakies and not just on special days. I know that my mom knows - that I love her dearly. And I know, and appreciate, what she has given up for me already.

Becoming a mom isn't easy. Besides carrying me in her growing tummy for so long and going through rather scary delivery process, she had to take on a whole new lifestyle. She gave up her favorite food and drinks just to make sure I am not harmed inside her. She was very disciplined and took good care of herself - just to make sure I come out healthy and smiling. She spent nights and days reading through piles of material and watching DVDs - so that she's not caught surprised when I am out and about and demanding. She did all that while keeping up with her day job and other obligations at home. I just want her to know that even if I can't express it much today - I and the rest of the family and friends fully appreciate her sacrifices. Putting it simply, she makes us all proud.

On that note, I wanted to thank my lola and bubu (my two grannies) - as without their sacrifices, my mommy and daddy wouldn't be around. So lots of hugs and kisses for you two.

And of course, this goes out to all moms today. Enjoy the day and know how proud we are for you.

Keeping everyone busy

My parents now have a second full time job. Running around behind me with a camera. It's time that I lodge a complain against the paparazzi. Whether I am taking a bath, or having a casual feed, or maybe just lying down on my tummy after a meal - they get busy clicking. And clicking they do.

One thing that has eluded them so far is my smile. Cause I am smart enough to throw it at them only once in a while and not long enough to pick up the camera and click. You should see their faces! First they melt with the smile and start running for the cam; then they start regretting not locking the moment in a frame. Ha ha ha! I reckon that project will keep them at the task for a while.

And what about my moods? I do like times like taking a warm bath or being gently massaged right afterwords. I hate when it is little chilly though. Then I like my short tummy-times - usually after a feed mommy will put me down for short workout. I prefer people carrying me around with a little cuddle. Nice and warm on winter nights. But I like even better to sleep on my daddy's arm at night. Lot better than the not-so-warm, still cot. And don't you worry - I make my liking and disliking quite clear to my parents. But you see, they are pretty quick to pick up on my needs and give me what I want. So most of the time, I am their lovely little angel! They just have to make sure they don't spoil me with all their love at once.

I'm home

After a few close observation days in the hospital - I was finally given the ticket to go home today ... hurrah!! It meant quite a few 'firsts' for me too - first time putting on my new bodysuit; first time saying hello to the sun; first time taking a car ride; first entry home and so the list goes on.

It took me a while to get used to the new home environment - so I started off a bit cranky. But in no time, I was back to my usual self again - a lovely little angel; or the princess as my dad calls me. I might need a bit more time to get to know my new home. But I'm sure it will be quite exciting for me.

Visitor's gallery

My first bath... mmm, that was good!

From the tummy: First week

So at 12:42 pm on Tuesday, 29th April 2008, I arrived. The morning was rather stressful for mommy and daddy, even though all bags were packed and we were ready to go. We took two cars to go to the hospital and mommy drove one of them (rather risky!). Amid the rush, they forgot to bring one of the bags that had my blue-book in it. So daddy had to drive back to fetch it. After they all settled down in the hospital with mommy changing to her operating gown and daddy put on his - it was waiting for the big moment.

At 12.42 pm I was pulled out of my mom's tummy. I could see the light and screamed out loud - possibly a cry of happiness. Daddy was amazed and did not know what he would do. The doctors bundled me in a towel and took me to mommy and daddy. Mommy saw me for the first time too! After a few emotional moments with my parents alone - I was taken to be freshened up while mommy had to be sorted out too. Daddy followed me around. I was weighed and checked and after some cleaning and putting my first dress on - I was handed over to daddy to take me to the room. It was daddy and me for next hour or so while mommy was recovering in the post-op room. I was soaking in everything around me in with my deep dark eyes and Daddy was going nuts as I stared at him.

Later lola, uncle and tita joined us. It was a mini celebration and the talk went on who I looked like. Mommy came into the room soon after and had enough time to take a good look at me. They were all ecstatic. MMS's were flying out to all over the world announcing my birth.

Next couple of days in the hospital were pretty standard. Daddy wasn't allowed to stay the first night as the midwifes looked after me. From the second night onward, daddy stayed with us. It's all standard checks over the first day. I got immunized. My pediatrician came to visit me regularly. They had a little bit of scare when it was time for my hearing test. On 30th, the first schedule test came out slightly negative. The physician in charge assured my parents that it was quite normal as at times, mucus from the tummy can block hearing. Daddy was a bit concerned. He trying banging the bathroom doors next to me to find out if I react. His stress was eventually cleared the next day when I passed the repeat screening in flying colors!

Mommy was recovering fast at the same time. Daddy attended the education session on how to bath little bubs like me and tried it on the same day. He was so proud of his achievements. Mommy was being trained on breastfeeding and also how to deal with motherhood.

The three days in the hospital went by quickly. I was having difficulty getting enough breast milk and since the midwifes were avoiding giving me formula, I lost a bit of weight over the first couple of days. Then the decision was reversed and I started formula supplement. After one extra day's stay in the hospital to ensure I am regaining my lost weight, we were ready to go home.

My first little dress

My first big cry

I have arrived

Wow! It was a busy few days! In case you missed it, I did arrive a day ahead of my schedule, but with plenty of notice to my parents. Cause you see, I really did not want to just surprise them. So I arranged for them to come and get me. It happened on 29th April 2008, at 11.42 am. Dr Huynh and her team got together to make way for me to step into the world from my mommy's tummy; with my daddy watching at the Westmead Private Hospital. It didn't take me a while to announce my arrival with a loud scream.

So here I am recovering fast from the jet lag. It's quite a difference in time you know. From a 9-earth-month long day to your (well, now mine) tiny 24-hour days. It takes a bit of getting used to. So until I regain all my strengths, hold on there - as I've got quite a story to tell.

See you soon!