Scar

On November 24th, Tuesday morning, my sweet little Nicholas had a very bad fall. We had just finished eating oranges in the family room, I picked up all the peels and went in the kitchen. Just then I heard Nicholas crying, a cry that I don't recognize, a cry that I've never heard before, I drop everything in my hands and ran over to him. I saw him his lying on his back crying, I saw red...I saw blood on the floor on both sides of him, as I got to him, I saw his right upper corner of his forehead was bleeding, squirting out blood!!

I picked him up in my right arm and used my left hand to cover his cut, applying pressure to help stop the bleeding, rushed over to the kitchen to get a clean towel. As I removed my hand to put the towel on, the cup of my palms filled with blood in the two seconds it took to get the towel on. Took back him back to the family room, put him on the floor and put another clean towel (from the laundry basket) on this cut, then grab the silk scarf that was on the floor next to him and wrapped the towel really tight. He was still crying in pain...so I picked him up and went to get my phone, purse and keys. Told Audrey to put shoes on while I was doing that, we got in the car and I put towel on the side of Nicholas head, put his head on it to rest, and told him not to move. He was such a good sport about it, he didn't move at all during the whole trip to the ER. Sometime during the chaos of getting ready and getting in the car, Nicholas had calm down and stop crying.

I had called Dr. Tan's office to see if I we should bring him there for stitches, but the line was busy, after two attempts, I decided to go to the ER at West Valley Hospital. Poor baby must of been in such pain, he was barely able to open his eyes, I told Audrey to look at him and talk to him. They are such amazing kids, what did I ever do to deserve them, I love them both so so much!

After filling out the information sheet, we waited a few minutes and got called in to the triage nurse for assessment. After checking his blood pressure the nurse said he was fine, its normal. After another few moments we were lead back to a room to wait for the doctor. Two doctors and a nurse came in a few minutes later, asked what happen and look at his wound. They said he will need stitches and they will be back in a few minutes to do it. When they return to the room, they wrapped Nicholas up in the blanket to prevent him from moving, one person was there to hold his body, another was there to hold his head while the doctor did the stitches.

I didn't stay to watch, I had a nature call, so Audrey and I went to the bathroom and Nicholas started crying at the top of his lungs again. After about 10 minutes, we returned and he was all ready done, and has stop crying til he saw me. I held him and he stop crying, ask him if he was ok, he nodded his head. I told him its going to fine now, we are going to go home, and he hugged me really tight around the neck. Poor baby must of been scared while I was away.

After sitting in the waiting area for 10 minutes, the doctor came and gave us instructions of what to do and then we left. Called Dr. Tan's office to schedule a follow up for the following day. Stitches looked good according to the doctor, and the following Monday, they were removed. He was such a good sport the entire time, he let me put ointment on and wrap it up in bandage, although he pulled it off when he fell asleep, he still let me wrap it time after time.

Today...three weeks since the incident, he has a little line, very straight line, about 3/4 inch long, no more an 2-3mm wide, and its healing nicely.

One bad day....

Some days are great, some days are alright, some just go by...but today is very bad.

Just moments ago, both kids were hanging on the Evenflo cloth gate, and BANG...both fell backwards off one step to the tile floor, great job! Nicholas has a chestnut size bump on his head now.

Just before that, Audrey slam the door with Nicholas hand in it, so its bruised and cut. Poor baby, always getting hurt.

I spent 2 hours mopping the floor last night after the kids went to bed. I told Audrey to be careful and not dirty the floor....just after I said that! A few minutes later, she sprays sunscreen all over the laundry room floor! Her punishment was pretty bad, I put her in the storage room and told her not to come out. But did she learn her lesson...of course NOT. Let her out and she continues to be destructive.

One more hour...then I can take them upstairs for a bath and bed....AHHHHH

Stress...

Sometimes things in life don't happening according to plans. When unexpected events occur, stress often develops in the process of finding the most suitable solution. Even though it maybe not be in the best of life's interest, its the right choice at the time. With or without regrets, life goes on. Time will smooth the rough edges, time will ease the pain, and only time can show true love.

Call it mid life crisis or human error...perhaps even a little laziness...or maybe its a combination of all. Either way, life goes on, the earth continues to revolve, sunrise and sundown follow one another each day. The little problems in my life are really so small when compare to the size of this world, why must I dwell upon these and create the stress that really shouldn't be. That is life...we see ourselves as the center of the universe and nothing else really matters, but that truly is not the case.

Remind myself to look at the big picture each time I build up tension...

Time Flies

Several months has pass since my last post. So much has happened and changed, not sure where I should start...

September 22, William came to AZ. On the 25th, we drove out to LA to catch the red eye flight to Hong Kong. 15 hours later, we arrived in HK, local time was about 8AM on the 26th. The trip was extremely rushed, didn't even have time to go shopping! On October 2nd, Ricky and Maggie had a wedding reception. Going all the way out, we spent the initial week there getting ready for that event. Between October 6-12th, we were in Shanghai eating our hearts out. Have to mention the wonderful hot and sour soup that Uncle Anson took us to eat at this local stop, nothing fancy but excellent food. Then the next day, we met with Yau, had dinner at a fancy restaurant that had a very very yummy sour mustard fish soup, slightly spicy, slightly sour, excellent flavor. The days before, we had 'big tied crabs', 'little dragon buns' and lots of other neat foods, all were very interesting, most I had never had before.

After returning to HK, we spend a day at Lantau Island, riding on the crystal cabin across the mountains passing the airport to the big Buddha. The glass floor on the cabin was super exciting for the kids, at first Nicholas sat so still he didn't move because he thought we would fall out. After showing him that we could stand on the glass and didn't fall, he was so excited he danced and jumped around. The next day, Oct 14th, we joined Christine, Rachel and Russel for a day at Disneyland Hong Kong. Again the kids had a great deal of fun. Both Audrey and Nicholas rode in all the rides, carousel, flying Dumbo, little world boat ride, autopia car driving (Nicholas barely tall enough for it 82cm, 81cm was minimum), spinning teacups...oh dear what else did we go on. It was fun!

Nicholas is such a lady magnetic. Just standing there looking at the 'milkway' display, he had several ladies approaching him to play with him. One lady ran around chasing him for a few minutes...until her boyfriend asked her to leave for the 3rd time! She was having fun chasing him around the milkway! He was giggling and running like a champ.

After the night Halloween parade and fireworks show, we left to get a late noodle dinner before going home. Spend the night packing our belongs to come home on Oct 15th.

The trip was busy, didn't have our own time to do stuff, everything was pre-arranged and schedule was not in my control. Nothing was in my control...the kids got sick, the sleep schedule was not adjusted, I was so exhausted from it all. I'll know better what to do next time.

When plans are not within our control, its best not to participate, especially when children are involved.

August 9th....

Yesterday was August 9th, Audrey turned 4 years old. She is such a big girl now, capable of doing so much already. Wants to help whenever she sees me doing something, wants to teach her brother to do stuff, wants to be a very grown up girl now...but from time to time, she will still act like a little baby. We didn't have a party for her this year, I was just not in the mood. We went to Peter Piper, had some pizza and breadsticks, then the kids play a bit. Nicholas loves running around and had a great time himself. We joined up with Joyce and her family for dinner at TOMO, Japanese food.

After dinner we went home. On the way home they kids were talking and having a nice time. After I pulled in the garage and opened Audrey's door, I was going to go check the sprinklers, but she said: Mommy, what is brother doing....I looked over and saw him in a seizure! He was blue, so blue...his lips were pale, and he was white stuff was coming out the corner of his mouth. His eyes rolled up and barely opened. I pulled him out of the carseat and started calling him. He opened his eyes but they were looking up. I knew he was in a seizure again! Took him inside in my arms and started stimulating him, blowing his face, tapping his feet, calling his name...nothing was working, he was limp...didn't have any response. I called 9-1-1. The dispatcher was on the phone with me while the paramedics and fireman came. Those few minutes of waiting seems like a lifetime. Next time you see a fire truck with its sirens and lights on, get out of the way as much as you can! There is a reason why they are rushing to go where they need to go.

They arrived and I hung up the 9-1-1 call. They immediately gave him an oxygen mask, I was holding i to his face. Started checking his response and air passage. Asked me some questions relating to the incident that led up to this case. After a couple of minutes, they took him, push him out in a stretcher with the oxygen mask at his face. I called Joyce to go over to find Nicholas while I took Audrey upstairs and shower and got to the hospital as fast as I could.

He was in room 8, I walked the room and he was crying. It was like hearing him cry for the first time. I love that cry...the sound of that cry will always be in my memory. Joyce was there, the doctor was there, I immediately picked him up and held him to my heart. He hugged me. His fever was down, and his response was back. I am so relieved.

Middle ear infection. Maybe something viral. Maybe some complications that we will never know. Something caused the fever to shoot up like that. Anyhow, we need to keep a close watch on his temperature.

Falling in L O V E....

How can a little boy at 18 months melt my heart everyday! Am I in love with him!! you betcha! Silly Nicholas is a bundle or two...of happiness and forever loving! Just can't begin or stop after I do beging...on all the wonderful and silly things he has done to brighten my day. Today he decided to draw on himself...first with sidewalk chalk...then after I got that cleaned off, it was a black ball point pen. He polish off his dinner plate, ate a chocolate cover ice cream bar...making a little mess along the way.

Lemme bite ya...

When my Audrey was a baby, her butt was really round and soft, like cheeks! and we would always tease her about biting them...of course she has no idea what you are talking about when you say "I'm going bite your butt."

Well...Nicholas has the same cute butt cheeks! And naturally we tease about taking a bite of it! Does he know what we are talking about?....

Yesterday, I stood there washing my dishes in the afternoon. Nicholas was playing in the kitchen with Audrey, playing with their toys. Then suddenly he grabs hold of my leg, left leg...and hugs me. How sweet he is!! "OUCHHH" I yelp! dear dear dear...my sweet little bugger took a bite into my butt!!

Lesson..do not tease about biting a baby's butt, it will come and haunt you! He did it again today!! must of like my YELP! I better just keep my mouth shut!

On Learning

As I sit in here in the wee hours, wondering how I learn what I know today, I realize how amazing the learning process is. From watching Nicholas copying Audrey's every move to ones he create, I am so thrill by just watching. My little man can put on shoes, not his though, but hers...Audrey's shoes, ones that are a couple of sizes too big. Then he sees me wearing slippers one day, slippers that are too big on me, the very second I take him off, he picks them up, walks away with it, and then puts his tiny feet in those huge slippers. Flopped around the room like a little penguin. Bring tears to my eyes just thinking about how funny it was.

Oh, but it doesn't end there...we were upstairs getting bath tub ready for their bath, turn around he has my lavender headband on, yes, the one I use daily when washing my face...he had placed it on just as I put it on! For a second or two I swear he look just like little Audrey when she was a year old.

And not to forget the YOGA! I've got a yoga nut girl and a funny yoga baby! Its truly an amazing thing to see, these two on the floor doing those silly poses. Some time ago, I don't know when or why, but he would walk up and around me and kiss me at the neck and back. Then causally walks away. Such a romantic little guy!

Beautiful weather brings bugs...

March and April have such lovely weather, birds chirping, sun shinning, breezy all day long, everything is so nice...even the bugs enjoy it. So they come out and attack our kids!! Left and right, kids are sick. Mines got their share. Audrey came home from preschool with a runny nose that turn into a cold. Gave it to Nicholas, who in turn toss it to me. But poor baby had a fever for 5 days, ended up with Roseola! Thank goodness it only lasted one day!

So the kids are good now but I'm stuck with the cold to deal with. So happy they are well though and they are so understanding that I am not feeling that well. They ate breakfast quietly and then took naps afterward. They are such good sports. Totally love them!

Wet baby SOAK diapee

Today was such an adventure, days go by when nothing much happens, not much you care to write about. Then there are days that have so much going on, its crazy to jot it all down. Today was one of those, I'm sore tired and sore that I should just go soak in a hot bath. But I got too much work to do still!

Before I do anything else, I just have to share a little story. I went abouts my routine, turning on the water to fill the baby tub, then ran to their rooms to get clothing for them. Audrey comes running to me, "MOMMY!! Nicholas went in the water but he didn't take his clothes off!" Great job son, you are so good, you can almost bathe yourself. Shall I help you blow dry yourself after you finish with the bath?? Yah..right. So I got him out and took his clothes off, since I have not started potty training, his diaper is still on, a size 5 huggies. I had no idea it can hold that much liquid! That things was like 10 pounds! OK, maybe 5 or 6 for the very least. It was fully soaked for sure! and he was just enjoying himself! What a day.

New Meaning...

I gave the kids apples for dessert. They didn't like it with the skin on, so I peeled it. Nicholas so casually dropped it on the floor. He decided to use that to his advantage and give me new meaning to 'eating off the floor.' You think he picked it up and ate it? Guess again. Sat on the floor and ate it? Almost but not quite. He got on his knees and hands and just dived at the apple as it lay on the floor. Maybe he has been playing with the dogs too much, learning from them as well! Thank goodness for my wonderful habit of keeping the floors clean!

Just so cute...

So Nicholas has been walking a handful of steps on and off on his own through the hour, looks like he discovered walking can give him more fun! He walked over the the vacuum cleaner, pulled the brush attachment off and started brushing his hair with it...after all it is a brush! Minutes later, he starts pushing the chair around, grabs stuff from the pantry and put it on the chair, then continues his adventure of pushing the chair around.

A few days ago, he started kissing with a 'smmarrk' sound, it is the sweetest kissing sound ever! Puckers his lips out and smmmarrk! just amazing to see him do that, tickle me pink.

Last week he started blowing kisses! He is a quick observant learner. He saw me blowing kisses and he copies it immediately. He practically copies everything I do!

Audrey is just as silly. She thinks she can help me feed Nicholas, only to find that her breast don't have milk, so she said I will have to because she is out of milk for him. She's been very good about going to school. I am trying to get her to pick up toys more, she does know how to do it, and she will but not often enough.

I am very happy to have these two little darlings. One day I will look back and wonder how they grew so fast and why I didn't document more stuff...well it probably has to do with my laziness, I figure I will do it later, but only to later comes and I forgot what I want to say! BAD me.

Walking

I have not been teaching or even encouraging Nicholas to take his first steps, I'm happy with him in my arms. On January 26, he took two steps alone and unassisted. He got up on his feet by steadying himself on his palms, after he was up, he held steady for a second or two, then took too small steps forward. Today, just a few minutes ago, he stood up again and took four steps to grab on to the chair that was in front of him. That is his new fun, getting up and taking steps. Looks like I'll be busy chasing him around pretty soon.

My son is now 1!

WELL...he had his first birthday party last night and I'm so bummed at how fast the past year has gone by! Looking back...

For the first 4 months, he gained ONE full pound every 10 days, so by the time he was four months he weigh in at 12 pounds! But then the weight gaining slow down, at one he is 20 pounds roughly (lost almost a pound in the past two months! still wondering why on this...)

He is a very happy baby, started smiling at a couple of months old, then giggling at about 4 months, now he doesn't stop laughing at the slightest drop of an object.

Roll around at 6 months, sitting at about the same time. Started army style crawling at 8 months and pulled himself to standing position at 10 months. Walk assisted at 11 months. Took 3 steps unassisted at 1 year and 2 weeks. Now he is walking 5-6 steps unassisted.

Started his first rice cereal when he turned 4 months. Eats what Audrey eats now and does it much faster! He is one good eater!

Love him more than I can say.

Funniest to date this year...

As I got water ready for the kids to bath, Audrey takes her blouse off, then pulls the sleeves of her undershirt down to her shoulders and says: "Mom, look, am I sexy?" I cracked up...but held my laugh, "sure baby, you are super sexy." Then she continues to take her pants off.."don't look mom, I'm going to take my pants off!"