Baby Burrito

Here's a series of photos I took while Samantha was swaddled. She totally looked like a burrito....aaay caramba!

Babies love being swaddled (at least most of the time), and this study from the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrate that; click here for the article.

Study discussion excerpt:

"The study showed that, when infants between 6 and 16 weeks of age sleep swaddled and supine, they sleep longer, spend more time in NREM sleep, and awake less spontaneously than when not swaddled. These findings are reminiscent of previous reports of an increase in sleep continuity among swaddled infants. These observations have been attributed to the motor restraint imposed by swaddling. This motor restriction could reduce the proprioceptive stimulation to the reticular activating system and hence the frequency of spontaneous behavioral arousals"

While a swaddled baby would eventually love the "restrained" feeling, it is sometimes a battle to get these little ones to stay still in order to get that swaddle on. In fact, Kristen would do "Houdini's" and escape from swaddles however tight they are applied.

Here's a interesting "How to video". I'm not sure how they got that baby to stay still but it looks like they gave him some sedatives :)

Mobile Mania

These photos were taken when she was 10 days old. Now while most books say infants do not visually track objects until they are at least 1 month old, some studies suggest newborn infants can actually perform visual tracking as long as the object being tracked has high contrast AND there is some sustained attention (here's an interesting article).

Speaking of high-contrast, we like this very simple mobile (Stim-Mobile); it's classic and has received awards. Check out these photographs and see how Samantha reacts to these simple mobile images.

Funky Childhood Nostalgia, Part I

Mana Mana - from The Muppets



All this baby talk throws me back to my own childhood growing up in the 70's. In my opinion, children's TV was at its prime back then (of course I'm biased --- what is up with today's shows like Teletubbies and that giant singing purple lizard, Barney?!).

I remember how funky the shows were. I just loved watching Sesame Street and The Electric Company (Rita Moreno in an afro -- you gotta love it). Take this clip from The Muppets, called "Mana Mana". All non-sense, but all funky! What the heck is a "Mana Mana"? The question is who cares?!

Faces

Samantha usually freaks out when here diaper is being changed (read = very loud cry). In this series of photos, though, she seems to enjoy her bottom being wiped (I would too!).

Burp time

Ok...I really thought burping a baby was pretty simple. I guess it is after a few tries but it just seems precarious whenever the baby hangs over my shoulder. At the hospital when Samantha was born, the nurses mostly advocated the "bulldoggy burp" method (www.ehow.com/how_51_burp-baby.html). I actually like this method since it's simpler and you can keep an eye on the baby while she's sitting on your lap. So far, though, the over-the-shoulder method (tried and tested by moms everywhere) seems to work best. The bottomline is you have to try all methods to get that gas out.

If I could only sing...

...and play the guitar, I would sing this song to my wife and daughter.




"Sunshine (I Can Fly) - Live" by Raul Midon

What's a cross between Stevie Wonder and Jose Feliciano? This amazing musician, Raul Midon (www.raulmidon.com). Born blind, check out how talented this musician based in New York plays his guitar like making love to a woman. Amazing! The song plays in my mind at work and makes me think of Kristen and Karen....

Sunshine

by Raul Midon (2005)

Sunshine when you're with me I can fly
Sunshine when you're with me I can fly

Every day I wonder why
Peace on earth's so hard to find
Real peace begins inside
In our hearts and in our minds
Hearts and minds begin to see
That one and all means you and me
And what we know can set us free
Rearrange reality

Reality is what we know
We can change a river's flow
Plant a seed, watch it grow
Build a shelter, build a home
Home is where my heart will stay
Even when I'm far away
Makes no difference what they say
As long as you will be my sunshine

Sunshine when you're with me I can fly
Sunshine when you're with me I can fly

When I'm feeling sad and low
And I'm not sure where to go
And all the good times that I've known
Have gone and left me all alone
All alone I'll never be
Long as you are here with me
You're in everything I see
And everything I'm doing
All I do I do for you
You're my sun, you're my moon
Every lazy afternoon
You're my inspiration
Inspiration lights the way
Brings a sparkle to each day
Makes the dark clouds go away
Let us let the children play

Sunshine when you're with me I can fly
Sunshine when you're with me I can fly
Music is the reason why
People laugh people cry
Sing and dance and clap their hands
It's how the whole world understands
Understands that we are one
Makes no difference what you've done
Or where you live under the sun

We are only human
Only human yes it's true
Still the mystery is you
And the sky so clear and blue
Makes every day feel so brand new
Brand new day throughout the world
For all the little boys and girls
If everybody lends a hand
We can live together!

Sunshine when you're with me I can fly
Sunshine when you're with me I can fly

Blood, Sweat & Tears --- and Pumped Milk

NOVEMBER 7, 2006 - I got to hand it to Karen: she's been great just staying up, breastfeeding and pumping milk to make sure the baby's got the supply she needs. It's tough but we're determined to get the pounds (our ounces) on this kid.

Here's a photo of the SNS (supplemental) nurser and bottles of pumped milk with the date and time of extraction. We use this breast pump, which is pretty good (www.medela.com).

This morning the lactation consultant (www.ilca.org/) came to the apartment for a personal visit. She brought in her own scale, pictured here with Kristen trying it out. Our goal was to gain some weight before the doctor sees us later that afternoon.

By the time Samantha was weighed in Dr. Gandhi's office, she gained an ounce. This was welcome news and we were quite confident that she'll start gaining weight from now on. We were scheduled to go back for a weight check in 3 days.

First visit to the pediatrician

NOVEMBER 6, 2006 - This is the first day at the pediatrician's office: Cornell Medical Associates (www.cornellphysicians.com/cma/). Dr. Gargi Gandhi (www.cornellphysicians.com/ggandhi/index.html) is our pediatrician and we like the fact that she's young and has a baby of her own; she's pretty good, I think.

Dr. Gandhi wanted Samantha to gain weight quickly so she suggested we contact a lactation consultant to help us out with breastfeeding personally and also asked us to ensure the baby gets about 8-10 feeds per day (every 2-3 hours round the clock). She also asked us to come back for a weight check just to make sure we were in the right direction.

Chillin' at home

NOVEMBER 5, 2006 - I really dig these photos of the baby with Karen while sleeping. Also added some photos of the baby being carried by Ninang Lea.

First day home

NOVEMBER 3, 2006 - It's a New York law to bring an approved car seat to the hospital prior to discharge --- that is of course if you're bringing home your baby in a car. Well, since the hospital is so near we used our nifty green stroller and Samantha had her first whiff of New York City that day. When we got home Tita Linda (Karen's mom's friend) was there to greet us as well as a nice fruit basket from the Concepcions (Mom, Dad, Lea and Ernest).

Hospital stay photos, Part II: Visit from Ninang Lea (Godmother) Lea

More of the good stuff, this time with a cameo appearance of Ninang Lea.

Hospital stay photos, Part I

Here's some shots I took of Samantha during their 2-night stay at the hospital. Karen didn't really get any rest because the baby was staying in the room and was in a strict on-schedule breastfeeding (every 2-3 hours) regimen.

This is the time when we realized how much we underestimated breastfeeding. We are both determined to have the baby breastfed (as set forth by AAP guidelines: www.aap.org) so we tried very hard to get that baby to latch on properly.

While the New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center is one of the best hospitals in the world, our nurse seemed to view her job --- well, simply --- just a job. As a result, you can imagine our shock when she handled our baby like butchered meat. Even though she admitted that Kristen was one of the cutest babies she's seen, she said that this was "baby boot camp". Geez.

Evidently, Karen didn't properly learn to breastfeed while in the hospital and she had to endure sore nipples while the baby chewed on them. To avoid giving a bottle and risk nipple confusion, we resorted to SNS (www.medela.com).

Kristen Samantha is born!

NOVEMBER 1, 2006, 10:45AM - When our funny labor nurse (not pictured; she's Hungarian - isn't New York so diverse!) came by our birthing room at around 7AM, she told us that she didn't expect Karen to go into active labor until the afternoon. This was fine since Karen was comfortable and we were ready to get some sleep in preparation for pushing this baby out. However, when the attending obstetrician on call, Dr. Amos Grunebaum www.grunebaum.com/about/), examined Karen at around 8AM, he surprised us with a report that she is already fully dilated. (Dr. Grunebaum is pictured with another assisting nurse who was very supportive).

The epidural was halted and Karen started pushing at around 9AM. Karen did a great job in pushing and the entire birthing process was such an inspiring experience. Kristen Samantha was born into this world at 10:45AM weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces. She was healthy, active and alert. What an awesome experience.

Triage Nightmare

NOVEMBER 1, 2006, 1:00AM - We walked to the hospital, and while it was only 7 blocks away, we had to stop several times during Karen's contractions. When we got there we had to wait at the examining room (triage area) for the nurse to come by and attach the fetal monitor. The wait seemed like forever and Karen's contraction kept getting more and more intense. We wanted to hold off on the epidural, but at 2AM -- and exhausted -- we were wondering how far we can go without pain medication. Karen is not used to staying up late so this is a real challenge for her. She was hungry and I gave her some Gatorade (the nurse said it's ok to give clear liquids). Bad move. She vomited twice.

The fetal monitor was placed by a charming nurse, however, her thick Jamaican accent was hardly understandable. And while we were comforted by the baby's good well-being based on the monitor, each anticipated contraction kept me at the edge of my seat. Karen took the pain and refused any medication.

When the resident OB on call finally came to examine her at around 3AM, we were disappointed to learn that Karen was still only 2 cm dilated. This means that they will not admit us unless we ask for an epidural, so the option we had was to walk around the hospital corridors (they can't send us home since her water broke already) to allow the labor contractions to progress. This seemed to me the longest hour of my life.

By 5AM, exhausted and with full intensity labor contractions, we asked for an epidural so Karen can be admitted and get some rest in preparation for pushing. Heaven knows she needs the energy for that! I left the room so the Anesthesiologist can do his job and by the time I went back in the room at 6AM, Karen was resting on the hospital bed on which she will soon deliver a baby. She had a peaceful smile on her face. Thank God for epidurals!

It begins: the contractions of labor

OCTOBER 31, 2006, 11:30PM - Karen started feeling contractions at 11PM. The contractions gradually became more intense and the timing quickly became more frequent (every 3 minutes). Here is a picture of Karen holding her cellphone ready to call the doctor. A few minutes after these shots were taken, her water broke and off we went to the hospital (New York Presbyterian-Cornell Weill Medical Center) with two luggages and a tote ("goody") bag.

Baby Shower

The baby shower was organized and hosted by the baby's Ninang (godmother) Lea -- but of course! Family, friends, food, gifts, you get the picture.

Prepping the baby room

OCTOBER 2006 - Ok this is the reality: we live in NYC, so dwellings tend to be small. Our apartment is a 1-bedroom with a sleeping loft and since the baby can't stay in the loft we will share the bedroom with her until she's 1 or 2 years old. To stimulate the little one I patinted the walls very light green (almost minty but not glaring) using Sherwin Williams'
zero-VOC Harmony paint (www.sherwinwilliams.com) and applied those really cool colorful adhesive dots (Dottilicious by WallCandy Arts www.wallcandyarts.com). I also installed some shelving (I had to customize by purchasing wood cut to size at Home Depot). We also placed the Pablo Elise lamp (www.pablodesigns.com) in the room since it has a dimmer that gives the room a nice glow. A Tolomeo spot lamp (www.artemide.us) was also installed for bedside reading without the bulk of a standard floor lamp or table lamp. The bassinet is the Stokke Sleepi system (www.stokkeusa.com/sleepi.htm). This bassinet turns into a crib, a toddler bed and two chairs as it grows with the kid (www.stokkeusa.com/sleepi4.htm).Why do scandinavians excel in furniture design?

Last but certainly not the least, meet Bubbles the cat by Blabla, knitted by Peruvian artisans (www.blablakids.com/).

Totally Stokke'd!

EARLY OCTOBER, 2006 - When this stroller from Norway went to market in the US back in 2004, I swear I wanted a baby right away! 2 years later, I got both the baby and stroller. Here is a photo of the Stokke Xplory when we got it. It kinda looks like a Segway (www.segway.com) for babies, but the form and function appeals to me. I preferred it over the Bugaboo because the Stokke provides height advantage (www.xplory.com). Plus, the Bugaboo is much too common here on the streets of New York (hey, I value individuality). And the best part: Ninang (Godmother) Lea actually paid for it! It's her first purchase for our baby who is yet to be born. Can't beat "free".

My Zen

EARLY OCTOBER, 2006: my 1200s, a Vestax mixer, my Aquos and Mr. Bamboo. 'Nuff said. ;)

Photos of the apartment: Pre-baby arrival

EARLY OCTOBER, 2006 - I thought it would be wise to take pictures of the apartment before the baby stuff took over (which evidently it did -- but not that bad, really). Some items I love: Eames plywood dining chairs, LEM stool, Modernica Case Study sofa, Jonathan Adler skyscraper table lamp, Cubetto lights by Fabbian and MaxSF coffee table.

Karen during the 3rd Trimester

AUGUST - OCTOBER, 2006 - Here's my wife Karen looking very pregnant and fantastic during the 3rd trimester. She's been taking care of herself: eating well (organic and all-natural foods only -- there's a premium: read = $$$, but it's worth it), and doing her yoga regularly. She's so agile for a pregnanat woman that if her doctor approved, she could do cartwheels in our small apartment!

Baby at 26 weeks (July 2006)

OK, so this blogging thing is a bit late; I've been busy, what can I say? However, with the birth of my first child last week and the popular demand for photo updates and what not, I think blogging would be the best way to update my dear family and friends. I will have to catch up with months of photos of Karen's pregnancy, so while the posting dates are recent, the actual blogs may be about special events months ago (I'll date the blogs as accurately as possible).

JULY, 2006 - Here is one of Kristen's earliest photos -- an ultrasound at 26 weeks gestation. It was taken at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, just 7 blocks from our apartment (gotta love the convenience).

Most people don't even think Karen looks pregnant but Kristen is definitely in there. The baby moves a lot and the sonographer says that everything looks fine. We saw the heart beating! Good stuff.