04.30.06
Posted in Maddy at 7:06 am by tina
Maddy came into our room at 3:00am, standing next to our bed for a long time (I thought she was going to go to the bathroom or something) until I finally got up:
Mommy:Â What’s wrong, honey?
Maddy: I heard baby crying   [Livy was fed one hour early and was sound asleep in her bassinet next to me]
Mommy:Â You did?
Maddy: Yea. I’m going to sleep in mommy daddy bed [she whispered]
Mommy: You are? all right, but just for tonight.
She was ‘concerned’ when she came into our room yesterday morning and found Livy laying right next to me in mommy-daddy bed; and I imagine she found it a little bit ‘unfair’ that Livy’s bassinet is right next to us.
It is tough to be a big sister: carrying more responsibilities and being more independent. I suppose we can bend the rules once in a while when Maddy feels like being a baby.
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04.29.06
Posted in Maddy at 9:23 pm by tina
For the most parts, Maddy is really a great sister. She is gentle, loving, and helpful when it comes to being a big sister; however, she is having a slight difficult time dealing with having to share everyone with Livy.
It became very apparent when Ah-ma made her brief visit this weekend. Maddy loves Ah-ma. When Joe and I were resting in our room, I could hear her running all over downstairs scream “Ah-ma, Ah-ma” and then I heard them laughing so loud together repetitively.
Ah-ma got a chance to hold Livy and coo-ed her in adoration while Maddy was next to her. You can tell from Maddy’s face on how she felt confused and insecure. Then she became whiny and clingy with us.
So I had a short talk with her on how I know it is tough to be a big sister because she has to share everyone with Livy now, but how we love her just the same and the only thing different is that we have someone extra to care for. The poor thing just cried cried cried non-stop.
She did cheer up after Ah-ma took her out for a bike ride. I love watching them bond with affection and trust.  Hopefully Maddy will adjust to her new role without much frustration.Â
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04.28.06
Posted in Livy's First Month at 4:58 pm by tina
Last Friday, I had some bleeding when I went to the bathroom. When we got to the hospital, the doctors said I was already 5 cm dialated and was having contraction on top of each other (I didn’t really feel the contractions, just a lot of pressure in the abdomen). Dr. Buckley said he suspect I was having a placetal abruption (and later confirmed it after the delivery which happened 30 mins later). Now I think of it, I’m pretty sure that he knew I was having the placetal abruption since I was rolled into the surgery in no time.
All the nurses or people with medical background gasped in concern when I gave them my story of ‘yea, had a placetal abruption so they took Livy out right away’. Apparently, it could be life threatening for both mother and the baby and some people said ‘you only have a small window of time’.  Nurses in the special care nursary said ‘good thing you have a girl because boy’s lungs mature later and boys and men, they just can’t handle stress’
Dr Buckley said he was very impressed about how calm we were. Little did he know, we just didn’t know better. We were more concerned about “what? today? but Joe didn’t have his Treo650 with him and we don’t have our camera with us.”
Sometimes, ignorance is a bliss!
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Posted in Livy's First Month at 2:53 pm by tina
It seemed like yesterday when I IMed daddy and told him that maybe we should head to the hospital. We were shocked when the doctor told us that it was going to be your birthday.
You came so unexpected, but somehow I never worried. Perhaps it’s a gift God has given to all mothers. I knew you were in my womb before I confirmed it with the home pregnancy test. I knew you were an answered prayer after a miscarriage shortly before your conception. I knew that God will complete a good work in you because you’re given to us by Him, just like your big sister.
When I first held you in my arms, you didn’t seem real. You were so tiny, so fragile, and so light. You were like a little stranger, although lived in me for a good 34 weeks. But it doesn’t take long for us to get to know each other: You still have your most active hours around 9:00pm. You like to stretch with your very skinny legs and make them stiff for a good ten seconds. It reminded me of the hard kickings you used to give me.
You’re supposed to be in my tummy still, but I like you outside much better. I think you’re drop-dead gorgeous, and I love how you are curious and check your surroundings out whenever you’re awake.
You brought out the best of everyone in the family:Â Daddy volunteered and cleaned up the whole house (something he usually does after my sarcastic remarks); Maddy being totally in-love with you and wants to show you off to everyone and her “let me go check on Livy” every other minute; for me.. you give me plenty of reasons to be thankful for you, daddy, Maddy, and many others who extended their care for us.
I love you, baby Livy, and welcome to the family!
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04.27.06
Posted in Maddy at 9:09 pm by tina
Livy is feeding much better than Maddy used to (although it’s hard to imagine anyone eating better than Maddy). She keeps everything in, and she actually stops when she is not hungry any more (something Maddy didn’t know how to do until much much older)
Maddy is such a sweet big sister. For the most parts, she is very helpful: getting new diapers, kissing Livy gently, and just full of love for her little sister. She did feel a little left out last night when I had to feed Livy during her night-time routine. We will have to work something out.. maybe Joe and I will rotate our nights so we get to spend quality time with the girls separately every other night.
Friends in our fellowship and church have been very kind to us and bring us dinners pretty much every day. We’re very thankful for their help and enjoy all sorts of food we don’t usually get.
Livy is a big pooper. She must have had five or six poopy diapers today. She also had her first doctor’s checkup with TriPeds. She weighs 4 pounds 11oz today… still below birth weight but has gained one oz since yesterday. We’re not too worried though. She is sleeping well, eating well and pooping well. I’m sure we’ll get a chubby girl very soon.
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04.26.06
Posted in Livy's First Month at 8:32 pm by tina
Livy is doing so well, the doctors sent her home today. When they told me yesterday, I was 95% elited and 5% disappointed. “So quick? Don’t you want to keep her another day or so?” How I thought I was going to have a few days of ‘vacation’.
The special care nursary has trained her to be on the three-hour schedule, which is one extra plus on top of all the wonderful care they have done for Livy.Â
Maddy is so excited!! She got to hold her little sister for the first time, and couldn’t stop kissing her and ‘checking’ on her every other minute.
I’m starting to feel the effects of the vicious ‘three-hour-cycle’, but it’s all good.Â
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04.23.06
Posted in Livy's First Month at 9:17 pm by tina
I made my rounds to visit Livy at 9:00pm. They moved her again because she no longer needs the IV, yea. I got to change her diaper (the premee diaper is really really big on her), and the best of all, I got to nurse her for the first time.
The little kitten latches on like a pro, and sucking me really hard it felt like she was biting me. And she made funny noises in between (I think she’s complaining about the lack of milk coming out from me). Such a Chen child! She also drank quite a bit of formula after that. Although she is so tiny, I think her eating skill is better than Maddy’s. Maddy used to drink so fast and so much she would puke out everything. Livy only spitted out a little bit when she burped.
It was such a sweet surprise for me!
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Posted in Livy's First Month at 7:28 pm by tina
When I went to visit Livy this morning, she was in the ‘box’. I thought something had gone wrong with her, but the nurses said that she’s actually doing very well, and had graduated from yesterday’s station.  It’s good to hear that if she progresses in her current improvement rate, she will be moved to the regular nursary in a few days.
The surgery has finally hit me. I was tired all day, but was very grateful that I got to rest all night and got to take naps throughout the day. Maddy was such a sweet girl. She left me her security blanket so the bai-bai can pay-pay mommy (This is the blanket that she never leaves behind). She is very concerned about my big boo-boo and understands that I need to stay in the hospital for a few more days so the doctor can make sure that my boo-boo goes away.
I miss spending time for Maddy, but it looks like daddy has been doing a great job taking care of her. It’s probably good that I’m left alone so I can rest up as much as possible before Livy comes home.
My whole experience at Rex has really been great. The nurses/technicians come to check on me at the much reasonable gaps so I’m not disturbed as much. The food is much much better and with lots of choices. You can’t tell it’s hospital food at all.
I know better this time so have been pumping diligently since yesterday. Although I’m still a ‘dry cow’, I’m hoping the milk will come in a day or two.. and hopefully by then baby Livy will be able to feed on her own.
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04.22.06
Posted in Livy's First Month, Maddy at 10:16 pm by tina
Livy is doing well. She was taken off the the oxygen machine during the late morning, and I got to hold her in the special care nursary for the first time.
She is so tiny, but as perfect as she can be. I don’t think she looks like Maddy, but she definitely has the Chen legs. When she cries, she sounds like a little kitten. But the late shift nurses say she is ‘loud’ when she’s not happy. I shall peg that as a Chen trait as well.
I’m recovering from the c-section much better than the last time as well. Maybe it help that I went straight to have a c-section this time. I was surprised that I made it to the bathroom all by myself this morning. I even skipped one pain killer (not on purpose, just wasn’t in pain really) and when I did ask later, the nurse said she was wondering when I was going to complain.Â
I remember I couldn’t really move for three days with Maddy, so I was pleasantly surprised that I could walk to the special care nursary (well, pushing a wheelchair) on my own. The swelling definitely goes down when I do get up and move around.Â
Maddy is such a good big sister. She had a blast at the Spring Fling at school with daddy today, and I was a little bit disappointed that I didn’t get to go. It’s too bad she won’t be able to meet Livy until we take her home, probably in two more weeks if all goes well. She finds it halirious that mommy wears a ‘diaper’ (heavy duty pad) in the hospital. Â
So far so good, for the family of four.
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04.21.06
Posted in Maddy at 7:38 pm by tina
Baby Livy is here… 34 weeks and 1 day… 4 pounds 15 oz. not sure how long she is. They have her at the Special Care Nursary.
It’s still a little shocking for me.. very thankful for all the staff at Rex. I started bleeding at 2:00pm; came to the hospital with Joe at 2:30pm. By 4:00pm, she’s out. It was actually a much more comfortable c-section than the last time.
Very thankful for our good friends Emory/Irene, who picked up Maddy from school and brought her to the hospital. Irene, who happens to be the kiddo’s ped, also got to go to the special care to visit her.
I’m a little sad that Livy won’t be able to stay in the room with me (they’re probably going to keep her for at least two weeks), but she’s in good hands and I wouldn’t want her anywhere else.
I love the fact that there is internet connection here.. watching TV and surfing at the same time right now. Too bad there is no pictures yet. We came straight from work. I don’t even have my hospital backpack packed. I guess I don’t have to schedule the hospital ‘tour’ which was on my to-do list for this weekend.Â
Still quite shocked and in the surreal feeling… Happy Birthday, our little girl!
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04.18.06
Posted in Maddy at 10:24 pm by tina
Maddy:Â Why is it dark now?
Mommy: Because Tai-Young, the sun, went down already.
Maddy: What? “Tina”?
Mommy: No, “Tai-Young”. The SUN in Chinese.
Maddy: Huh? “Tina” like your name? Daddy’s name is Joe. I am Maddy Paddy.
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Mommy:Â Are you going to listen to your “lou-shi” (teachers) today?
Maddy: Huh? Where am I going today? church or school?
Mommy: School. Lou-shi is teachers in Chinese. You have lou-shi in school and lou-shi in church.
Maddy:Â #$%^@ (making gerbish sounds)
Mommy:Â What are you saying?
Maddy:Â #$*()^ (making more gerbish sounds)
Mommy: daddy… I think your daughter is trying to speak Chinese. She is making noises.
Maddy:Â &^%*(*&& (making more gerbish sounds)
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I suspect daddy used the phrase ‘ma-ma-who-who’ (so-so) inappropriately with her while I was not around. All I know is, all night today, the girl went around the house:
Maddy:Â Where are you, ma-ma-who-who?
Mommy: ma-ma-who-who means so-so in Chinese. It doesn’t mean mommy. (I shouted back)
Maddy:Â MA-MA—who-who, I’m coming.
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The only saving grace of her Chinese:Â Maddy is able to count up to 20 by herself, which is better than what daddy can do.Â
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04.17.06
Posted in Parenting at 10:27 pm by tina
When a kid falls or trips over at Maddy’s preschool, the typical reaction from the parent or any teacher:
“Oopsie. Are you ok?” “That was a bad fall. Here, let me kiss it better and let’s be careful next time”
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When a kid falls or trips over at any Chinese gathering (I’ve yet to see it being done by any non-Chinese parents), you’ll get at least one parent react this way:
“Bad chair” “Bad wall” and the mom hits whatever ‘evil’ object that causes the child to fall.
I never understood the rationals behind that. Seriously, the wall was always there; the chair didn’t stick out its leg last minute. Usually I just turn away thinking “ok, whatever”. But when one kid fell over this past Sunday and four Chinese moms yelled out in unison and hit the floor at the same time as if they had practiced, I was actually disturbed.
What does a child learn from the reaction of the adults when he fall? One culture teaches the children to own up to their mistakes and learn from them; another one teaches the children to blame on others. You have to wonder the end results…
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