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Today is New Year’s Eve and that means the end of the year. If I hadn’t quit my job two weeks ago I am suppose to return to work this Friday. Yikes!  I would be so unprepared if I had to go into work. I don’t have any breast milk stored for Samantha and even if I have she wouldn’t take the bottle. I think we will have to get her started on solid food soon. Not only am I not prepare to return to work physically but mentally I don’t think I am ready either. I have become so comfortable with Samantha at home that it’s hard for me to think of doing anything else.  Of course, this means we lack one income so that’s not a comfortable thought but I don’t regret quitting. I am starting teaching again next Monday. 3 hours a week of lecture and x number of hours to prepare. Last quarter I spent at least 20 hours a week preparing, so I’m hoping I can spend less this quarter. Maybe this 3 hours a week of teaching will ease me back into the working world. I am looking for a job but a contract job so I won’t be committed to one company. I hope to find a six – nine months contract so I can take the summer/fall off and enjoy it with Samantha or maybe take a long family trip. I miss traveling. We normally travel out of the country at least once a year but we haven’t travel at all in 2008. So… if I do have a New Year’s resolution that would be to travel for 2009 and probably to save money. LOL.. I guess the two resolutions I have contradicts each other. LOL….  I guess save money but still have fun.

Happy New Year!!!

Christmas is coming soon. Samantha is not expecting gifts from anyone other than Santa. However, if there happens to be a very kind and gracious individual planning to find her some clothes or something this year and are reading this, please… NO MORE PINK! I know she’s a girl and all, but just don’t…don’t do it..
She looks so nice in black and brown too… or what about gray? Tan?

With the economy in shambles and winter hibernation upon us, I guess you could say I’ve been keeping busy.  In addition to caring for Sam, I’ve been trying to make good use of any down time by self teaching myself some new marketable skills sets for the coming new year (something I’ve been wanting to do the entire year but procrastinated).

Samantha has generally been making good progress. Having been a “textbook baby” all this time (according to the author of one baby book I’ve read) she’s been mostly predictable in her ways.  Peak fussiness did take over around 6-8 weeks then started to decline, and becoming more socially aware and smiling around this time as well.  We keep her on a strict schedule for the most part, feeding every 3 hours, not letting her stay awake for more than 1-2 hours at a time (feeding the brain), and giving her daily activities like tummy time/massage/music.  She hasn’t fed from a bottle since around 5 weeks and in fact, outright rejects it when I try to give it to her (tip for soon-to-be parents: try not to skip any days of giving a relief bottle while breastfeeding.. some babies do not take change very well at all and will become too comfortable on mom’s breast).  So it’ll be interesting how I handle the days when Joanne is out for more than a few hours. Its quite a vulnerable feeling for a baby to stare at you and know that you have no food options that they’ll accept. She currently seems to have transitioned from a “textbook baby” to somewhat what of a “touchy baby” hybrid, as she is quite sensitive noises while sleeping and the slightest changes in routine sometimes. Maybe we need to get her out more, which we plan.

Coming up on 3 months soon, and I’m looking forward to playing with her as she’ll be much more socially active during her wakeful periods.  Learning toys, reading, massage and music come to mind initially.  Looking forward to spring time too when we’ll be able to spend more stimulation time outside. I can start wearing her backpack style too with my Ergo carrier (as opposed to on my chest) while she checks out all the trees and birds. All in all, we’ve been very happy with her progress, and we’ll continue to wing it and pretend we know what we’re doing, as most new parents are I’m sure

By the way, apparently Joanne’s parents have settled on a chinese name for Sam. Its “Wong Yik Fay” in cantonese (sounds a little like saying “flying chicken wing”), and we have to clarify the exact meaning of it with them. We requested to stay away from any meanings based on superficial qualities like cuteness or being stunningly pretty or adorable.  Way too cliche and without substance in my opinion, this world already has enough of that. I was hoping more along the lines of “adaptability”. I’d like her to be creative and mold her way though any situations encountered. After all, wasn’t it the wisest philosopher of all time who said to be adaptable, like water, my friend..

I hope you all don’t let the economic blues get you down this season, and find the time to be productive and creative without the need to spend a lot of dough. Happy holidays everyone.

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