Our Bodies Are Not the Same

Yesterday I went to a dance class at my fancy gym and pretended I was 18. I raised the roof. I shimmied left to right. I stomped my feet. I whipped my hair. I moved my hips. I arched my back. And then... I got hurt. Funny thing is, I didn't even know I was hurt until later that night. In fact, I left the class feeling great and learning the Thriller moves, just in time for Halloween! It wouldn't be until later that night when I'd start to feel the soreness of my triceps and neck creep up on me. That joke the instructor made about how she wasn't advising us how hard to whip our heads for some of the moves which might result in a chiropractor visit started to be less funny.

I wasn't alone.

Andy had played football earlier that morning and apparently, pushed himself too hard and came home with a back strain.

Needless to say, we were in slow mode as we got ready for bed last night, struggling to maneuver ourselves, both complaining about the pain leftover from earlier that morning.

I guess our bodies just aren't the same as they used to be. I guess that's what age does to you. Meanwhile, our son is showing us how strong his lil growing body is as he held himself up on the pull-up bar for about three seconds at the park today and then almost five seconds via Skype for the family. What a show-off!

He has also been rolling from his stomach to his back and over again, trying to crawl (using his head more than his arms), and sitting up for almost 30 seconds before toppling over.

I know it's cliche but sometimes I can't help think... wow, that lil munchkin came out of my body. It is absolutely amazing to think about life and wonder how it all works. Moreover, to think... just a year ago, Jordan was just a murmur in my stomach, a headache turned migraine and a growing bump and these days, he's a changing person with more personality and movement than ever before, trying to laugh and squeal and grab everything around him. It's comforting to know ... though our bodies aren't the same, neither is Jordan's.

He Thinks He's A Big Boy

One of the most peculiar things about being a parent is the joy in watching your child grow and develop. A little over five months old, Jordan wants to be part of our world by doing what we do. I think if he could walk now, he would.. how much he loves standing up and seeing the world from anew perspective, and how much he loves sitting and grabbing whatever we surround him with (until he plummets over in about 20-30 seconds).

He has learned the clever art of crying at an exceptionally loud volume for just a spurt with his eyes strongly shut tight for emphasis when something is taken away from him that he wants a part of (think sippy cup of a toy he cannot quite reach). Little does he know we laugh secretly and silently as we observe his short spurts quickly calmed by a new distraction to something else (because we refuse to appease him by giving him what he wants everytime - read closely, that means we do give in sometimes).

Lately, he has become increasingly mesmerized by the bottle and the sippy cup. He wants to hold the sippy cup like a big boy around the two handles and tries to put the mouthpiece into his own mouth with limited success. With the bottle of water, he tries so hard with his tiny little hands, to grasp around the bottle and somehow coordinate the movement into his mouth. Most often, his tiny hands are not enough to hold onto the rotund shape of the bottle, and his hands somehow fall off and then are quickly moving around to try again. Other times, he is able to hoover the bottle towards his face and I have become enthralled with just watching him miss and hit himself in the forehead or his cheeks with the bottle nipple and then unceasingly try again (he's definitely not a quitter). Sometimes, the bottle changes angle and he instead thwarts part of the bottom of his Tommy Tippy (think wide stout little bottles) into his mouth (homeboy's got a big mouth... for a baby that is). And most amusingly, he is learning from himself and from us and starting to understand the whole cause and effect thing. I pressed down on the bottle nipple to squirt some water into his mouth and he realized this concept of pushing the bottle nipple did something he wanted. So when the bottle was returned to him, his hands went directly towards pushing down on the bottle's nipple, which could be a coincidence if it's too soon for him to recognize such relationships, but at the time, I thought, oh my, he's trying to imitate me to get the desired effect of water into his mouth!

And how he loves to eat solid food. And how he will start to stuff his bib into his mouth if you are not quick enough with the spoon (note: Andy and I both eat VERY fast, we'd like to think it's efficient but really we're probably just impatient like Jordan) or even start to cry - another thing we are trying to minimize, though being ready with the spoon full of food does help to reduce the amount of clean-up we have as he starts shifting and getting food all over himself or whatever he is sitting on. He loves his peas, bananas, and avocado and he is just enamored with water and the art of trying to get it into his mouth. Once he does, he can be seen enjoying the sensation of this new liquid without flavor but somehow satiating his thirst. I love watching him as he takes in the water, excited and eager for more.

Boy, what an adventure eating solids has been. As much fun as it is to watch him, record him and talk about it, man is it time consuming! They weren't kidding when they said be prepared. For someone who thought nursing was time consuming in the beginning, I am the first to admit, at least there were times when I could be on the phone whether it was playing with Words with Friends, browsing pinterest or e-mail while he sleeps and eats. Not with solids. He has to be awake with solids. Hence, there is not Words with Friends in between mouthfuls, no Pinterest while he munches on his solids, and no catching up on e-mails. I am fully involved, fully committed and to my opponents on Words with Friends, yes - that is why I have been lacking in playtime lately.

Guess it doesn't really matter - it's worth it and I can't wait until he learns how to eat for himself. Such is the case with life and raising kids... as I imagine as the days become filled with more active responsibility outside of diaper changes and feedings, they also become more responsive, hence more entertaining and fun. It's great making him laugh.

Side note: as his personality develops, I am noticing his personality more and more. If he's not hungry or tired, he is completely happy playing on his own in the crib or on the matt or in the bumbo with whatever toy is in sight, or watching Baby Einstein if you put him into a comfortable position before doing so. But he also loves being social if you so choose to interact with him, he just doesn't have a preference much in terms of happiness as both make him extremely happy. The other day, we went to the mall for a Picture People session I regretfully purchased on Living Socials (think very low quality but immediate results high school hoochie momma photos but for babies) and he was so happy, smiling and interacting with our photographer. She pulled out a big styrofoam pumpkin and he was in heaven trying to put it in his mouth. When he became too distracted, she removed it and he was not happy. But instead of crying or reacting with a tantrum, he just remained still, emotionless, and stoically stared at her. No more smiles, no more cooing, just a stare as if to silently declare, "You took my pumpkin, I'm not playing with you anymore, and no, I will not smile for you." It was really quite entertaining to watch him stare her down but almost a bit intimidating to think my baby has developed a personality already!

Pinterest Much?

You could say I'm a creepy facebook stalker. You could say I waste too much time on facebook. You could say all these things and you'd probably be most definitely correct. But you'd only be describing yourself ... maybe?.... maybe not. *sigh

Fortunate for me, recent happenings have me purging myself of my old disgusting-facebook-time-wasting-noisy-and-way-to-into-other people's-business-and-photos-indulgent habits. Instead, any free internet browsing time I have is spent blogging and browsing through my pinterest feed. It may sound surprising but trust me when I say, this new thing known as "Pinterest" is actually useful, inspirational, and resourceful. Really? Tell me more! Okay!!

Pinterest is an online sharing board which enables you to bookmark websites (blog posts, articles, Etsy for sale stuff, etc.) by image and organize by "boards" that you name and arrange on your page. You have friends who can see your pins and vice versa and you can like, comment and repin. Through the powers of sharing (which is caring), I bypass spending any time on the worldwide web to find interesting things to pin and instead, focus my time browsing that which has already been pinned. I repin things I find noteworthy and await my friends' finds. Through Pinterest, I have found recipes, cleaning and organizing tips, cute, creative, thrifty and brilliant DIY tips, decorating ideas, daydreams of a future home, photography concepts, hair tutorials, trendy outfits, witty sayings and funny posters, and wonderful gift ideas!

When Pinterest first became a daily part of my life, I thought - how awesome would it be to also have work out tips on here as well? It seemed only yesterday when my wishes of where Pinterest could take me have now evolved into reality. Most recently, I have seen a bunch of work out tips on Pinterest.

So I haven't technically tried any of the recipes I pinned under my "Miam!" (yum in French) board, I haven't even given much thought to the DIY mischief that could be part of my life, instead I have pinned and sat back, enjoying the repins which confirm to me that these are pinworthy. But today, I broke that streak by trying my first Pinterest.... dun dun dunnnnn.. work out!

I revised it a bit.... here is what I did twice (as Andy observed and told me I would not be able to asleep as it is 10:30 PM on a Monday night).

50 jumping jacks

5 normal push-ups, 5 girly push-ups (because my normals are just a plank bending a bit...)

20 bicycles

20 climb-ups (I had not clue what these were, you just go into a plan position and bring your knee to your chest one at a time)

plank for 30 seconds

7 burpees (also had not a clue what these were, you start in standing position, you jump with your hands to your feet, then jump back into a plank position, do a push-up, jump your feet back to meet your hands and then jump into the air and whoop for joy!)

I don't care! I'm ecstatic with the accomplishment I have made of finally following through with something I learned from Pinterest.

Let me know if you want an invite - or you can request one and wait a few days. And maybe by then, I will have mustered the courage to try a recipe... or a craft... or a hair tutorial.

Clarification On Eye Lids

A lot of people have been asking me questions about what my prior eye-lid post meant. Apparently the photos I included were not close enough to demonstrate the true nature of the lids. So I took another one of his folds.

Notice the subtle line above his eyes? That is the fold that now exists above his eyes. If you compare that to the photo from the prior post - you will see there were no prior lines above his eyes.

Hopefully that helps.

Note: Most non-Asians have a fold a lot thicker than Asians.

A Lesson On Lids

It's never good to caveat a blog post with, I'm not being racist... but I'm not being racist.

It is a known fact to any Asian person that most Asians have single eyelids and most Caucasians (any pretty much anything not Asian) have double eyelids.

So what exactly are double eyelids? Look for a fold over the eyelid, it may be thin, thick or in between. If there is nothing besides an eyelid, you have a single eyelid. But you are also most likely Asian and already knew that.

It is also a known fact that many Asians regard eyelid surgery (to alter single eyelids to double eyelids) as a common matter of fact cosmetic must do.

My own aunt was about to give me free eyelid surgery when I turned 18 so I could go to college without people knowing of my single eyelids.

I began cutting little slips of scotch tape when I was 15 to tape my eyelids and thereby create a double eyelid.

I got a real natural double eyelid (though small) at 16.

I discovered double eyelid tape at 17 (they are mass produced and sold everywhere in Taiwan).

I discovered eyelash glue works even better at 19 (they are packaged with a thin application brush in Japan, Korea and Taiwan).

I never got the eyelid surgery.

My other double eyelid (also small) came in at 27. I am convinced it was the constant use of the eye glue. My best friend also got a double eyelid at 27. She has been using eye glue as long as me.

Dreams do come true.

My son was born with single eyelids. Everyone in my family said it was from me, even though I have two double eyelids (yes, I know, they're small!) which were materially forced into existence with tape and glue. Everyone in my family wondered why Jordan didn't get his dadddy's big double eyelid eyes.

The other day, my best friend wondered outloud.... "Do you think Jordan will put tape or eye glue on his eye to get his double eyelid?" We laughed at how ridiculous we sounded. Both of our round eye big double eyelid husbands do not understand our eyelid obsession.

On September 22, 2011, Jordan's right eye gained a lid.

Eight days later, on September 30, 2011 - Jordan awoke and had two double eyelids.

Dreams really do come true!*

Single Eyelids

One Double Eyelid

Two Double Eyelids (with Uncle Ray, who also just recently got his lids but he never used tape or eye glue... maybe if we waited, they would have come in naturally?....)

*disclaimer - I will still love my future kids if they have single eyelids and I will still think they are the world's most adorable baby ever!

Birthday Traditions

Even though Andy and I do not have any birthday traditions of our own, yesterday (Andy's birthday) got us thinking about what sort of traditions we'd like to have for our children to look forward to each year.

I had a few birthday parties growing up, always had a cake, always had presents and always felt it was a special day. As I grew older though, birthdays quickly lost their appeal as did gifts and the only thing I really looked forward to was that birthday wish after blowing out some candles.

I had grand plans about Andy's 27th birthday - from making a homemade ice cream cake for Jeff (brother-in-law who has the SAME birthday!) and Andy when Jeff and Tammy visited this weekend to thoughtful gifts and a sweet written card from Jordan and me. None of the above was accomplished and though the weekend was filled with a visit to BJs for some birthday pizookies and pizza, Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, ice cream cake, soda pop and lots of fun summer blockbuster viewings, I failed to put together anything even close to creative.

I thought about a birthday banner. I thought about a birthday slideshow. I thought about a birthday card. I thought about a birthday frame. Thoughts can't get you that far.

I got as far as printing photos from Costco and using existing frames we had, buying an already made red velvet cake from Costco and creating some Andy specific Cranium questions for some friends who joined us for Family Home Evening last night.

It was not what I had envisioned, not even close to the creative awesomeness that I had hoped for, but it was what it was. And over dinner at Rubio's last night, we brainstormed what sort of birthday traditions we would create for our family. Needless to say, beyond establishing that we wanted traditions, we didn't get too far as we inhaled our food and rushed home in time for FHE. I think it'd be fun to always have a photo of the birthday individual with a cake and candles and to see the changes over the years. Andy didn't let me put a candle into the cake last night or take any photos (I was immobile as I fed Jordan in the corner) so for that, I'm a bit bummed. Oh well, there's always next year. He's stuck with me for every birthday here on out, and that my friends, is so exciting.

Happy Birthday Andy and Jeff!

Dear Boppy....

Dear Wanna-Be Boppy,

I know a boppy is a popular nursing pillow and that I call you my wanna-be boppy or even boppy for short. I want you to know it is bceause when Jill, my cousin's wife gave you to me - all I knew was that you looked like the American boppy even though you were from a Taiwan store called Mammy Village. When I went to the site to check you out, I was apalled by the actual boobs and breast pumps in the product image gallery, as well as the postpartum bodyshaping and weird keep your belly small type underwear shapewear products. Then, when I went to a breastfeeding class at the hospital and the lactation Nazis told me a brest friend was far better than a boppy, I was a bit sad since you were my wanna-be boppy, not wanna-be brest friend but you did not seem to mind since you had a button similar to the brest friend's velcro, so really - you were better than a boppy or a brest friend!

When I was pregnant, I liked walking around with you around my waist, giving me support in the rear to balance with my growing baby bump. I enjoyed your existence as a "hey, I'm pregnant friends" accessory, back support, and even attempted to sleep next to you a couple of times (I found my body pillow from college was more comfortable and less awkwardly shaped but I still loved you so much). You were my best inanimate friend.

When Jordan was born, you rested beneath him, giving him a nice contour to rest inside. His tiny body fit so perfect into your arms and he loved the company you kept. We also invited you to our nursing sessions as a cushion for Jordan to rest atop, but my doctor advised me against feeding atop of nursing pillows (to help reduce spit-up and improve digestion), so our time was cut short. You remained a permanent fixture during Jordan's day time naps and continued to bring joy into our lives.

Now that I'm no longer pregnant and Jordan is no longer a newborn with limited movement and restrained neck muscles, we have fallen apart. Sometimes I forget you are there, waiting for us, just letting the dust fall onto you. Though we did not abandon you, you are far from present in our lives these days. The few times I even tried to put Jordan on top of you, nuzzled in like he was in his newborn days, he screamed and arched his back and stretched his arms and legs out in an attempt to roll over and out of you. I know you were sad, but I want you to know - he does not know what he does, he is too young to know the pain he may have caused you.

Well, I am excited to tell you - we have found another purpose for you. You have graduated today. From now on, you will serve as a cushion for my laptop and an intermediary between the heat from the computer and my sensitive lap. You will also serve a dual-purpose as a cushion for my husband's neck. You are similar to a neck pillow sold in airline gift shops but much bigger and more comfortable.

Though we have grown and changed... you are still able to serve a purpose in our lives and hence, remain a part of our family.

It's funny how our relationship makes me think about how as life changes... as my worries change from how to put bread on the table to how to make bread on the table to how to feed my children the bread on the table to how to teach my children how to have bread on a table for themselves... there is a constant source of love and support from God and Jesus and that I am guided along the way through the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and his Apostles as well as our Church leaders.

It reminds me of how much I love the living waters of our faith. Though Church is every week and can feel routine and repetitive besides General Conference which is once every six months and Stake Conferences which are for a group of Churches in our area every so often as well (because I'm unsure how often they really are... I think also 6 months...?), every message spoken is to be heard with the heart AND mind, enabling us to know for ourselves there is truth in action. I know sometimes I may hear the same advice, the same prophetic counsel, or even the same "miracle" testimonies of others, but each time I do - the emotional epiphanies and uplifting tranquility I feel remind me that the Spirit I am feeling is testifying of the truth there. It is quite tremendous and I am lucky to have these constant reminders of why the commandments are important, why prayer matters, why scripture study will strengthen me, why a good attitude is imperative, and the list goes on... but why all these things matter and help us to enjoy the full blessings God bestows upon us.

Pretty neat. Thanks for giving me that insight wanna-be boppy. You've done so much. You're great - don't you ever forget.