Thursday, April 30, 2009

Emma - Tomorrow is your 1st birthday!

Emma,

Tomorrow is your first birthday!

Mommy still clearly remember that one year ago in tonight ...... almost at right now, mommy started contraction and daddy and mommy went to the hospital in the same night. And the next day at 17:13hrs you came to this beautiful world.

A year is almost past, you have been grown up such a lovely girl! Mommy is very proud for you! There are so many beautiful memories during the first year with 7/24 hours that we spent together. We will celebrate for you together with grandma.

Your future's life will be full of happiness and challenge. Mommy hope you will be always healthy, happy and outstanding.

Happy Birthday to you !!! Mommy LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU AND LOVE YOU!!!

Mommy,
21:50, April 30, 2009
Quispamsis, New Brunswick,
Canada

********************************************************************

Emma,

This letter is a start of a journey. I will write a letter to you on your every birthday until you reach 18 years old. I will learn and work hard to be a good father as you grow. I hope you to become:

* Healthy
* Happy
* Competent

Frankly speaking, I am still learning how to live a good life and how to be more competent at workplace at age 36. Although everyday there are kinds of things people are dealing with, only a few events that happened to them or a few choices that they made affect their whole life. To be specific, the following few things happened to me had an fundamental impact in my life.

* When I was around 10 years old, I was left in an apartment alone in an evening. My parents locked the door from outside before they left. In the evening, there was a comedy movie played at the outdoor movie theater that was just behind the apartment building. I really wanted to watch the movie and sit on the window thinking to jump off and get out. The apartment was on the second floor, probably 6 meters above ground. And there were some bushes on the ground right below the window. At the end, I figured it was too risky to jump off the window at that height. I went back to the room, and did some other things until my parents came back.
* I got poor scores in the junior high school entrance exams. I could not qualify any schools that I applied. I had to accept to be assigned to a school that had not good reputation. When I started my days in the junior high, I was motivated. I started to work hard, be self-discipline, and take the pressure. I was always the top students in the class during the 3 years at the junior high. In the high school entrance exams, I achieved pretty good scores and entered one of the top high schools in Beijing.
* I picked Electrical Engineering as my major when I was in university. Electrical engineering and computer engineering were the only engineering majors that I figured I could handle well and I might have interests in.
* Your mom and I got married. Marriage means share the happiness and hardness with each other, and respect each other.
* Your mom and I moved from China to Canada to start a new life. I still could not answer the question very well, "why you moved to Canada?". But I started to enjoy the life style here. At least we could have a not rich but good quality life. We could spend more time with and pay more attention on you.
* I got a job in the data network field in 2005. This will probably be the profession I will keep doing until my retirement. I quite enjoy what I am doing.

I sincerely hope you have a better life than I have.

What do I want from you? Hmm... I want you look at me and call me "ba ba". ;-)

Happy Birthday, my sweetheart!

Dad

The 4th day mommy back to the work

Today is the 4th day that mommy start working. With one person is off this week, mommy has to pick up a lot of business right away. However mommy made it! You were with grandam in the first two days and yesterday (April,29 - Wednesday - was mommy's due day last year) was the first day you were with babysitter! I was told you cried some in the morning and only had 30 minutes sleep. You were tired. You had almost three hours sleep in the afternoon. Mommy miss you very much in the work. It is only about 2 - 3 hours that I can see you in the week days. I know it is hard to separated with you for so long in the day.

Tommow is your first birthday. We will celabrite it together with grandma! Okay, mommy has to back to work now.

Mommy at office
8:20am, 4/30/2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Emma finished the last bottle of frozen breast milk

Yesterday - April 25th, 2009, Saturday, Emma finished the last bottle of frozen breast milk. Mommy worked very hard to froze all these about 44 bottle (not all full) of breast milk. Mommy just want to let you have more nutrition after the weaning. Now, tomorrow, mommy is going back to the work.

Mommy has finished the first year's responsibility pretty well. Mommy grew up from a new mom to an experienced mommy! You had a full year breast feeding and had a pretty healthy first year. Mommy is very happy for you!

Mommy,
The last night before go back to the work
20:30, April 26th, 2009

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Mommy's parental leave is finished

Friday, April 24 - Mommy's parental leave is officially finished! It was such a wonderful year with you - Emma. You did changed our life and brought a lot fun to us!

Just quick review the year in home with Emma:
1st month - May: Busy with the nursing,no good sleep in the night, adjusting to the new life, mommy and Emma have afternoon nap together

2nd month - June: Busy with the nursing, no good sleep in the night, the milk supply improved, mommy and Emma have afternoon nap together

3rd month - July: joined the gym club, enjoyed the weather, mommy and Emma have afternoon nap together

4th month - August: have a little routine set up, enjoyed the weather

5th month - September: Daddy's K-State issue, Emma has routine set up. Emma started swimming

6th month - October: Grandma had tour in eastern Canada. Decided to K-State, busy with preparation. Emma in some playgroup

7th month - Nov,: Busy with K-State preparation

8th month - Dec.: Busy with K-State preparation and thinking if it is go or not

9th month - Jan. : Decided not going to K-State, L.A.'s potential job but failed, Emma's baby sitter searching, Emma's phone album project, Emma's morning and afternoon nap training

10th month - Feb: adjust to be back to work, mommy is no more afternoon nap

11th month - March: start the weaning process,Emma's pictures organization, getting up earlier in the morning

12th month - April: Emma is completely weaned in the middle of April. Emma start the transitioning with babysitter, morning rushing hour training

Well, generally speaking, Emma is such a lovely girl had a very little cranky time during her first year. Mommy, Daddy and Grandma had so much beautiful memories with you. Now mommy have to go back to the adult world soon and we will have much less time to see each other. Mommy will miss you.


Mommy
April 25th, 2009
15:00 hrs

Emma had a fever

Well, Friday, just after the full day with babysitter, you had a fever when you got in the morning. And you had very hard time to have the bowl movement, which is the most difficult on so far. So you canceled today's babysitter. So that was the last Friday mommy in home to stay with you. Mommy will go back to work on Monday. The weather is good. So we spent a little bit time together on the lawn in our back yard to enjoy the sunshine. However you were not feeling good, so we only had about 10 minutes out. It was still very nice.

Mommy slept with you in the night. However when you got up in the morning, you still have fever. You had a little ADVIL fever relieve and looks better, and you are still happy and smile.

Mommy
14:22

Emma's first full day with babysitter

Thursday was the first full day that Emma with babysitter. Your daddy dropped you there in the morning. You looks fine with Angela when Daddy was leaving. I was told you were cried some in the morning nap, and you only had 30 minutes sleep. Maybe Jacaba is too noisy. However you had an hour and forty five minutes in the afternoon nap! When mommy pick you up, you were on the floor playing the house. Well, you looks happy and had enough energy when you were home.

Generally speaking it is better than what mommy expect.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Emma is almost crawling

Emma finally got moving. You look like crawling with one hand keep moving, the other one is under your tummy. However you finally made your first moving without rolling. You looks more active and talky after you came from Angela's house. Maybe you learned something from other kids.

Mommy
20:51
April 21

Emma's half days with babysitter

It was Monday (yesterday), Emma spent the morning time in Angela`s house. I was told you only had a little bit cry after mommy left. And Angela put you down for sleep at 9:45am, you only complained a little, then you fallen to sleep for about one and half hour! When mommy came to pick you up at 11:30am, you looks happy there.

This afternoon, mommy left you there from 12:00. Maybe you were hungry when we got there. So you looks not very calm. Mommy fed you lunch and watched you playing. Then mommy left quietly. Mommy was very worry about you after mommy got home. I don`t know if you will be able to have a good afternoon nap. Frankly speaking, I am still having the hard time to send you to the babysitter. Lilly called and she said she doesn't worry too much about babysitter. The house is just like missing something with you in home. Mommy was thinking about you all the afternoon. When mommy came to pick you up at 4:30pm, I saw you are sitting on the floor playing with the toys. There are 6 kids together. Angela told me you had more cry than in the morning but not constantly. The surprise is you didn't cry when she put you down at 2:10pm. And you woke up at 3:30pm. Kela ( 9 years girl) said you were happy and play with the toys when you came down. What a surprise! You were trying to cry when you saw me came in. When I hold you up, you were happy :) Well, although mommy want to keep you in home all the time, you did well than I am expecting!

Tomorrow, we will try afternoon again.

Mommy
April 21, 20:44

Friday, April 17, 2009

Emma's 2nd two hours with babysitter

Today is the second day for the two-hours try with babysitter.

We arrived on 8:20am. Mommy stayed with you for about 10 minutes and left quietly. When I opened the door, you almost saw me. So kept looking at the direction of the door for a while but no cry. When I watched you from the window. You were still looking at this direction. You must be thinking where is mommy going? Mommy kept standing there for about 5 minutes and you were playing with the toys and other girls. So mommy left.

At 10:00am, when mommy opened the door to pick you up. You didn't cry nor smile to me. Angela was holding and you were looking at me. She played peekaboo with you and you smiled. She said you only cried a little bit shortly after my left. Then you were doing fine. It is better than my thought!

You fallen into sleep soundly after sitting on the car.

We will see next week try. We will try half day and then whole day. The napping will be a challenge.

Mommy
21:54

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The frist time to put Emma down in the night when she is alert

Today is the first two hours try with babysitter. Emma looks very active after you got home. You even don't want to go to sleep in mommy's arm. So mommy put you down in the bed when you are awake and alert. You just make a little bit noise to complain, and then you hold your blanket and ready for sleep. Mommy left the room and closed door. You cried only two second and then stopped. It is hard believe! It is almost the first time mommy did this :)

Mommy
21:46, April 16, 2009

Emma's first two hours with babysitter - Angela

Finally, it is the challenging time...... for both Emma and mommy.

We arrived in Angela's home at 8:30am. Mommy played with you over there about 10 minutes. And then mommy hided in the kitchen. You just played with those toys and didn't realized mommy's missing.

So mommy left the house quietly without letting you know, you were still playing there with other two girls ( two years old). Mommy stood at the outdoor and watched you playing for about 10 minutes. You were very curious on everything and kept watching other kids playing. Not sure what happened, you cried, so Angela tried to calm you down. Maybe a few minutes, you stopped crying, and then you kept playing. Mommy left at 9:00am.

Mommy went to pick you up at 10:00am, which is your nap time. I looked you over the window and you were looking at this way. Looks you had seen me. Mommy opened door and you looked at me for a few seconds and then you wanted to cry. Mommy hold you up and you stopped. Angela said you had a couple of short cries, which is better than what mommy expected.

You fallen sleep in the car and waked up when we go home. You looked very energetic and talky. I put you in the bed but you didn't want to sleep. You have a lot of new words bubbling since this morning, which is so cute and funny.

We will try tomorrow morning again. Hope you will be getting better :)

Mommy
21:40, April 16, 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

We made the 3rd visit in babysitter's house

Yesterday we went to babysitter's house in the lunch time to see how does the lunch work.

Today, we visited her in the late afternoon. The weather was so nice that Angela took all kids out of the door. They played in the back yard. Mommy put Emma in the baby swing. You loved to watching kids playing.

Tomorrow, mommy is going to let you stay there for two hours. Hope you will be doing okay. I know it is so hard to leave yourself with somebody else.

22:01

Emma is weaned

Emma was officially weaned from last night. With the milk supply reducing, you looks lost some interest in nursing. Mommy put you in the breast before you went to bed in the night, you just sucked a few minutes and then you turned around. So we stopped nursing last night and you looked very peaceful in mommy's arm and then you fallen in sleep. Mommy know that beautiful nursing experience is finishing soon.

Tonight, mommy gave you 120ml formula before you go to bed in the night and you finished shortly. Looks you accepted the formula as you didn't like the formula before. Mommy is very happy to see you like drinking the formula now :)

April 15,2009
22:00
Mommy

Monday, April 13, 2009

The first two hour in the babysitter's house - 2 weeks away from the returning day

April 13, 2009, Monday, 2 weeks from the returning date!

There are only two weeks left before mommy go back to work!!!

Yesterday was a eastern Sunday with snow. It was still snowing this morning. There are about 7-9cm snow on the floor already.

Mommy and Daddy get up 6:40am this morning to start the practicing working day. I brought you to the babysitter house for about two hours. Mommy hide away about 15 minutes and you were doing fine with Angela. Isabelle (Angela's two years old girl) some time is jealous you when Angela play with you.

I plan to visit Angela Tuesday and Wednesday and I will stay with you. I will leave you there by your own on Thursday and Friday for two hours to see how you are doing. And next week, I will keep you half day and full day there. Hope you will be doing well. Mommy is very sad to leave for returning to the work :(

Mommy,
22:11

Emma understand some words!

Emma understand a couple of words that we talk to her. We ask her clap hands, bye-bye, wa wa wa wa in Chinese and say peekaboo, she will take action accordingly. It is so much fun to see you are growing and getting communication stage!

Although you are not cowling, I think you are developing faster in other area now, like language skill and emotion-Q.

Mommy,
April 13,09
22:00

Friday, April 10, 2009

April 11th, 2009, One year maternity leave aniversery

Tomorrow is April 11th, 2009, which is the date mommy start the maternity leave. The time just runs too fast. There only two weeks left before mommy back to the work - the real adult world.

Well, it will be very hard to set up new routine and see you - Emma go to the babysitter. It must be very tough and sad for mommy. However just like everybody else, we will make it, right? The sprig is here and the beautiful summer is coming soon. Maybe you will like the new life style.

Mommy is practicing getting up early in the morning. The final target is 6:00am. I am working on 7:00am now with some success. Mommy will continuously working hard!

Mommy
April 10, 2009
22:50

Mommy and Daddy changed our bedroom's layout

Mommy and Daddy changed our bedroom's layout......one side of the bed is against the wall. As in some Emma's awake night, mommy and Emma will have a bigger bed to share, and daddy can switch over the Emma's bedroom :)

Mommy
April 10,2009
22:47

Emma got a cold

Emma got a cold a week ago with running nose and cough without fever. (Just running behind to post the message.) It is the almost the first time you had a real running nose and cough. Not sure where it comes from, maybe from the babysitter when we visited her for about two hours. It make mom very concern after you go to the babysitter or daycare in near future. Maybe you will have more sick time.

Mom slept with you for a couple of days while you were sick. Mom always love to see your sleeping. Acturally you still looked very happy even you had the cold. Fortunately, you got recovered in three days with the antibiotic medication. We are very happy for you.

April 10, 2009
22:40

Emma

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The 1st day in the 12th month

Today is Emma's 1st day in your 12th month! Mom took some pictures for your as usually - taking pictures at the beginning date of every month! You dressed in a red skirt with a cute hat. You are just so beautiful!

昨晚喂奶时还在想,也许明天就几乎要断奶了。果然今天早晨感觉不太涨,于是EMMA喝完奶粉,就给她换了尿布,她看上去也吃饱了,也没闹。于是今天是EMMA这11个月来第一次没喝早上的母乳。今天晚上,感觉稍涨,同时发现月经来了 - 几乎两年没来月经了,几乎都忘了什么感觉了。怎么这么巧,刚打算断奶,月经就来了,人类真的很神奇。晚上EMMA不愿喝奶粉,于是我就喂了母乳,看着她那么陶醉地津津有味地吮吸着,真有点舍不得这种亲密的感觉。但是EMMA总要长大的,总会拥有自己的生活,最终会离开我们的怀抱。也许这生就有这一个宝宝了,也许我不会再有机会感受这一年的美好时光了,想到这,还是不禁有点失落。

Anyway, mom and dad will be looking forward your healthy growth.

Mom,
21:17
April 1st, 2009