No Easter Bunny

My Easter weekend was very busy. Saturday, I went with mommy to decorate a cheesecake egg Faberge style at Cheesecake and Crime. Afterward Malia, Satomi and Violet met up with mommy and I to go to Town Square for Easter festivities. The center square was crowded with kids with their Easter baskets and parents running after them. Because of the huge crowd and the girls were hungry, I missed a photo opportunity with the Easter bunny. Sunday, mommy and daddy took me to the Easter celebration at the Montelago Village in Lake Las Vegas. The village was filled with people spending their Easter. I watched people pass by as mommy and daddy ate lunch out in the patio. After that, I waited for the Easter bunny until daddy said he needed to go home to sleep because he was working that night. So I did not have any picture with the Easter Bunny but that's okay because my mommy made an Easter bunny playing the ukulele on her Faberge egg for me. Besides, I got to stand in his chair for a while.

I had another doctor's appointment this week and here is my updated stats. I am now 23" long and 13 lbs 4 oz. I'm almost double my birth size. I like to grab mommy's hair, my hanging toys and straws from my favorite waitress's pocket. While I play, I like moving my head from side to side like I'm saying no but I don't even know what that means yet. I can turn from my back to my tummy and tummy to back with no problems. I've learned to scoot myself off of my play blanket when I'm on the floor. I love to smile, laugh and talk to anyone who talks to me. I drool...A LOT. My dad calls me the drool machine. I also love to suck on my fingers/hands. As you know, I've started eating rice cereal and oatmeal. My mommy and daddy also have given me bananas with my cereal and now applesauce. Mmmm... I love it when they do that.

Mommy and daddy say we're going to Hawaii in two weeks. I can't wait to meet my mommy's side of the family. I heard there's a lot of them. Well, I'll let you know about my adventures in Hawaii. Till then... Aloha!

-Lee

Kung Hei Fat Choy- cont.

This is a continuation of the prior blog that will give you all a better understanding the title of the February blog. February is when the Chinese celebrate the new year. This year is the year of the rat. I am born in the year of the pig. The title of the blog means "Happy New Year" in Chinese. Mommy, aunty Malia and I went to the big celebration at Chinatown. It was a warm winter day that I got to wear shorts. There were at lot of people, food that I can't eat yet and entertainment which I didn't get to see because I took a nap. Mommy and I did give money and pet the red lion because they said it would bring good luck for the upcoming year.

Bid you all... "KUNG HEI FAT CHOY!"
(Sorry for the delay but aunty Malia had the pictures and finally sent them to us for us to post on the blog.)

-The Lee Machine

Kung Hei Fat Choy

Hi Everyone! It's your little guy, Lee! I've been really busy the last few weeks so I'm sorry if I haven't updated much recently. It's just I've been so busy with new things that I haven't had time to organize my thoughts!

I attended CSI Las Vegas's 20th anniversary party with Mommy! I even got a name tag to wear on my clothes! Everyone thought I was adorable. Apparently, I'm already breaking records as I'm the youngest member that has attended a CSI function. Sara, who you see holding me on the right was the first young member. Hope she can overcome the fact she lost the record. She doesn't seem to upset. Anyways, the picture on the left is the first guy I met who is also named Lee. That was confusing. All night people would be talking to him and say Lee and I would look. Daddy tells me that happens to him all the time.

On February 28th, I had my first taste of solid food. Mommy and Daddy say I don't sleep long enough at night so they hope this can make me sleep a bit longer between feedings! I'm currently eating rice cereal and oatmeal. Daddy says he read that it could take 13 feedings before a normal baby accepts new food. Took me about 13 seconds! YUM! Grandma and Grandpa Howland were here for the first feeding and they made me feel very comfortable.

I've been standing a lot more too. I LOVE IT! Especially when Mommy or Daddy or Grandpa sings to me. I dance around cause the music makes my booty move. Mommy has been playing a new game with me. She opens and closes her hand and I do the same. I'm not sure how the game ends but I'm pretty sure I'm winning!

N

Anyways, I'll try to keep updating this. It's hard to keep up though. I have to go get some new clothes soon as I'm starting to grow out of my infant clothes. Oh well. BYE EVERYONE!

-The Lee Machine

Look That Broke Your Heart

It was Thursday, January 31st. It was time for Lee's first set of vaccinations. We laid him on the table. He got the oral vaccination which he didn't mind. He was cheerfully playing and staring at the ceiling when he received his first shot on the right thigh. Lee's facial happy expression turned to a cry of pain. Then number two on the same thigh. Then the third, fourth and fifth shot on the left thigh. It was less than a minute but his cries of pain were hard to bear. The ordeal was finally over and Mike picked him. I won't forget the sad facial expression and the moan of "What have I done to deserve this?", he gave us. Mike hugged and kissed him. So did I. We get to look forward to doing these vaccinations a half dozen more times. Oh Boy! Thank God Lee did not have any fever after the shots. Mike did take a warm bath with Lee to sooth his pain.

Despite the sad day of Lee's life, here is an update of his stats and what has been going on with him. He is now 10 lbs 4 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He is more alert and is very interested in his surroundings. Lee went from a little coo and a cry to a lot of different noises. He smiles a lot when we talk to him and starting to giggle. He likes to be part of the conversation. He talks to his animal friends- lion, giraffe, tiger, monkey & elephant that's on a mobile. He watches each animal intently and once the animal passes, he fix his eyes on the next animal. He has discover his tongue and always sticks it out. He can stand supported by a rail for at least 5 seconds before he falls. He loves to dance with daddy to alternative rock music and fly like superbaby.

Baby Lee has gone golfing 9 holes with daddy at Callaway. Unfortunately, Mike did not think to take a camera. We did golf this past weekend at the same 9 hole golf course and caught Lee's second time on the golf course as shown in pictures below. Lee has also attended a wine tasting night with mommy's friends. Hmm.... golf and wine. What shall Baby Lee be exposed next?!

-Jenny

Happy New Year!!!

New Year's eve was very quiet for us until 30 minutes before midnight. We all dressed up warm and walked to the drainage basin near the house to watch the fireworks display at the Strip. Mike carried Baby Lee in his snuggli (baby carrier). We (Jen, Grandma Kaya, Rex, Katlyn and dogs) were all very cold except for Mike and baby Lee. See picture below... he's the one in the blue beanie in Mike's coat. We all enjoyed the fireworks but that was it for our new years celebration. Mike went off to work and we defrosted at home.

New Years day was a very emotional one for me as my mom was leaving us after being here in Vegas helping us for almost a month. She arrived the morning I was induced (Dec. 4th) and has been here with us to help out with Baby Lee. She was a HUGE help... Mike was able to sleep on a regular shedule which was nice because he was the only one working. She cooked for us even though Mike didn't like the type of food she had made. Even I was able to sleep an extra hour here and there once feeding was done. We were very fortunate to have her take time off from work to be with us as we became new parents. THANK YOU MOM!

Baby Lee is now one month and 5 days old. We believe he has grown to be at least 8 lbs. He has filled up his baby skin. He's making new expressions all the time, one of which is making a sour face. He response to your facial expression and follows interesting things you put in front of his face. His hair is becoming lighter; not sure if there are any curls or waves. The talk of everyone who visits is his eye color: Will it be hazel... brown?... green? We all stare and try to figure it out. I guess we'll not know until later.

Aunty Karen and Uncle Brian came to visit Baby Lee and thought he was adorable. Karen held him every chance she could while Brian watch and commented on whether he should be worried about having kids very soon. Hmmm.....

Grandma & Grandpa Howland finally got the chance to visit their grandson. Unfortunately, Grandpa was not feeling well and found out he had bronchitis. They also cut their vacation short due to Grandpa not feeling well. So Grandpa didn't want to get too close to baby Lee for two days. Grandma got to babysat a couple of hours while I do an errand. This is what I came home to (see pictures of Grandma on the couch). Also, Mike and I had a date night where Grandma and Grandpa babysat Lee which was a treat for Mike and I. We will surely see them soon. Wish Grandpa a full healthy recovery.

It's almost back to work for me. I wonder how it's going to be not being less than 12 feet away from Baby Lee and how Mike will manage with a few hours sleep then going to work. I know we'll do fine but wish us luck everyone!

-Jenny

1st and 2nd Week Update/Milestones

On Dec. 19th, Lee made 2 weeks old. He is now 7 lbs and 3 oz and 19 1/2" inches. He is most definitely an night owl. Lee likes to sleep all day and stay up all night to our chagrin. When he's awake, he is very alert of his surroundings and loves to hang out with people when playing "Rockband." He coos and makes a lot of facial expressions even when he's sleeping. Below are accomplishments and updates we have made in the past 2 weeks.

Dec. 10th- Got milk?! Breasts finally started producing milk! When I woke up, my breast had filled up which I was ecstatic about. He's a big eater likes his daddy- drinking both breast milk and formula because the breast milk can't produce as fast as he drinks it.

Dec. 11th- His first visit at the Pediatrician's office. He had gained 2 oz. Prior to leaving the hospital, he had lost 4 oz. which is normal for infants.

Dec. 12th (actual due date)- Lee was circumcised. We didn't have to be in the room to see the procedure because the pediatrician says that she had a lot of parents faint and she could not take care of the newly unconscious because she has to attend to the child. Anyway, Lee fell asleep during the procedure and woke up crying because the nurse took her sugar flavored finger out of his mouth for "clean up". The doctor told us that the numbing she gave him would die off in 2 hours. We got home and about an hour after the procedure, he started crying. It seemed like he was feeling the pain. I started crying because I felt so bad. So Mike and I decided "Screw it!" and give him Tylenol to kill the pain. After receiving the cherry flavored drug, he calmed down and went to sleep. Thank God. He's fine now.

Dec 13th- We took him to the Fashion Show Mall for Lee to take his first picture with Santa. See blog titled "The Double Deuce."

Dec. 14th- The whole family (Mike, myself, Baby Lee, Flans, Dusty & my mom) went for a mile walk at the drainage basin near our house. Mike carried Lee in the baby carrier. Lee slept the whole time. Sorry no picture of this moment but the next time Lee is in the baby carrier, we will certainly get one.

Dec14th thru 19th- Lee's cousins, David and Micela, came to visit from Northern California. They were both happy to meet their new cousin and very helpful around the house by making breakfast, changing Lee's diaper, feeding Lee, etc.

Dec 16th- We took our holiday pictures by the help of Micela. Luckily, Lee was up for this moment. The dogs did great also.

Dec 18th- Lee went to his first Christmas party at Lendall and Pam's 12 flavors of Cheesecake at their new store. Everyone wants happy to meet the little guy and I was happy to share the bundle of cuteness. Or course, he was the center of attention.

Dec 19th- Mike's wake up call.... This night Mike volunteered to take care of Lee so that I could sleep through the night as I was starting to feel icky. I gladly took him up on his offer. At 3 a.m., he woke me up. frustrated and exasperated. He was totally out of ideas of how to stop his crying. He had already fed, changed him, etc. I guess Lee wanted mommy time aka breast milk. So I took Lee and fed him and Mike went to bed. I told Mike that he sucks at being a graveyard worker. he he he

-Jenny

Confirmed

Most people thought I was a boob anyways.
-Mike