Earthquake

Whoa! I am only 7 weeks old and I have already been through my first earthquake. My mommy says I was sleeping peacefully in my bassinet when the entire house started shaking. Hoku and Koa started barking like crazy and a few things fell on the ground. We all quickly huddled under the nearest doorway and waited it out. It lasted a good 15 seconds or so (we think). It was quite scary and we were all glad when it was over. Turns out it was a 5.6 and actually happened in San Jose!

Good bye Aunty Cindy, Hello formula

Aunty Cindy left bright and early this morning. :( We did a lot of things while she was here. We went shopping, walking, took lots and lots of pictures, ate, burped, changed diapers, and just hung out and had some fun. Tyler will miss her and hopes he will see her again soon. He is also asking when he will have a "cousin" playmate. :P

Despite all my efforts, my milk supply seems to be diminishing. We finally had to break down and introduce formula today. Per our Dr's recommendation we are trying Enfamil. Tyler doesn't seem to know the difference. He eats just as fast and like a piggy. Every 2 - 3 hours about 3 ozs. Feeding him is actually faster now (via bottle), it still takes a good 30 minutes + via breast. Our plan is to use the formula only when needed. I am still breastfeeding and pumping in hopes my milk will kick it into high gear one of these days.

Here's a bunch of pictures ... from Cindy!

Party hardy and Daddy day

On Saturday, we hosted our first gathering since Tyler's arrival. It was the first time a lot of our friends saw Tyler. The coolest visitors for him were Brayden (4 months), Haylie (1 year), and Jayden (2 months). Not that they can really play ... but it was just cool to have them all together. Who knows, maybe they do talk in a baby language that we can't understand.

For the most part the babies kept everyone occupied. The grown ups did get a chance to catch up, something we don't get to do enough. I must say ... our get togethers have definitely changed. Especially conversation topics! I am always learning something new being the "newbie" mom of the group. Keep the advice coming ladies! :P

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Sunday was reserved for a girls shopping day and daddy bonding time. Tyler spent the entire day with daddy. A good 8 - 9 hours. From what I found out, they watched a lot of sports. Football, baseball, and even racing! Daddy took him out to get lunch and do some light shopping and even gave him a bath by himself for the very first time. I can't speak for daddy, but it looks like they had a lot of fun together. (he has access to this and can add more if he wants)

Almost halloween and Aunty Cindy's visit

Aunty Cindy arrived on Wednesday night. We are surely going to have lots of fun with her! Rumor has it she is going to get us a pretty cool baby shower gift. Can't wait!

Tyler went to yet another doctor's appointment yesterday (Thursday). His ear infection is completely gone! However, he still has reflux and we are trying a medication to see if it helps. If all goes well it should help him spit up less and help to prevent future ear infections. He now weighs in at 7 lbs and 15 ozs. His eating has increased and mommy is afraid she won't be able to keep up with her milk supply. We have formula standing by just incase. Hopefully we won't have to use it soon, but we'll see.

We haven't yet decided what we are doing on Halloween, but Tyler does have a costume. He is going to be Tigger! The costume is a bit big, but should be CUTE!

More Pics & Bye Bye Gma Rex

I know, I know ... it's been a while. Forgive me as motherhood has made me lazy. Pft ... not lazy, just busier with other things to do which leaves less time for playing on the computer. :P

Gma Rex will be leaving on Tuesday. Hopefully we can do more on her next visit.

3rd Year Wedding Anniversay

Today is our 3rd year wedding anniversary! WOOHOO! Has it already been that long? :)

Lucky for us Grandma Rex is still here and will be baby sitting Tyler while we get away for a few hours to have dinner.

More to come ...

Official Due Date

Saturday, October 20th 2007 was Tyler's official due date. Mommy can't imagine having still being pregnant until now. She would have probably gained another good 10 - 15 lbs! *whew* Who knows how much extra weight she would have had to lose in that case. The 10 lbs baby "fat" she has on now is already gonna be a challenge. LOL

Tyler loves being held and cuddled. It's relatively easy to rock him to sleep in our arms. The hard part is putting him down without waking him up! He could be asleep for at least a good 30 minutes sometimes even an hour ... but the moment you put him down he's like "hello"! On the bright side, when he is wide awake, Tyler is a lot more alert. He turns his head a lot more and seems to be taking in his surroundings. He also starting to make some babbling sounds too. It's really cute! I've been trying to get in a lot of tummy time so he can practice moving his head and strengthening his neck. At the same time he is also kicking his feet sometimes getting himself almost up on his knees. He seems to enjoy it for a good 10 - 15 minutes then will usually get a bit frustrated.

It is so amazing to see him learn all these new things. I can see why everyone says they will grow up fast. I'm looking forward to all of it!

Getting better?

Tyler has seemed to have been doing better since our last doctor's appointment on Saturday. He's been sleeping a little more and spitting up a little less ... until today. :( He started spitting up after every feeding and fusses more than usual. Sleeps perfectly fine while you are carrying him and then wakes up crying once you put him down.

At today's appointment (10/17) we found out that poor Tyler has gotten the ear infection back in his left ear. :( He screamed when getting the wax removed and during the antibiotic shot. It was heart breaking. It's so hard to see him in pain and not be able to take it away. As much as I comfort him, I can tell he's not a happy camper. As usual, we have a follow up appointment ... so we shall see his progress tomorrow. Chances are he will need another shot.

On a happier note, despite the spitting up ... he has still managed to gain weight and now weighs 7 lbs and 2 ozs.

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Tyler's ear infection is still here (10/18). The antibiotic isn't working as fast as it did last time. He got another shot today and will get one until Saturday. :( Luckily he isn't as fussy. He spits up once in a while, but not as often nor as much. Such a trooper though ... he is now 7 lbs and 4 ozs.

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Another shot down (10/19) and 1 more to do. 7 lbs and 6 ozs. Because Tyler is sick, we haen't been able to do much with Gma Rex. We've stayed home all week so far and basically take care of Tyler ans watch TV all day. Gma Rex has also been cooking up some delicious Korean food!

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Last shot of this series taken like a champ (10/20). 7 lbs and 8 ozs. Tyler is now over is ear infection ... but still has a slight cold with some congestion. Hopefully he will get over it soon and be all better. Mommy and daddy can't wait for the fussiness to go away. :P

Ear Infection and Gma Rex

Tyler has been a bit fussier since this weekend. He also started spitting up more often than normal. Mommy was a bit worried and took him to the doctor today (Tuesday, 10/9). Turns out Tyler has an acute ear infection. :( We're not sure how he got it, but the pressure in his ears has been making him uncomfortable. Dr. O cleaned out some ear wax and Tyler got an antibiotic shot in the leg. Even if he was very brave, he cried really really loud. Mommy wanted to cry with him. He has a follow up appointment tomorrow. On a totally different topic, Tyler now weighs 6 lbs and 7 ozs.

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The follow up appointment (10/10) went well. Dr. O said that the antibiotics helped out a lot and his ear looks much better. Unfortunately for Tyler, had to get another antibiotic shot. Supposedly it is better and easier this way, rather than us trying to give it to him orally. On a side note, Dr. O informed us that back in the day when he first started medical school (i want to say at least 15 - 20 years ago) an infant less than 3 months with an ear infection use to be immediately hospitalized. But now with modern medicine that is no longer necessary. *whew* He gained an ounce since yesterday and we have one last appointment tomorrow.

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Whoa, Tyler weighed 6 lbs 13 ozs today (10/11). His ear infection is clearing up nicely. He got his (hopefully) last antibiotic shot today and we scheduled a follow up for the 17th. We just need to monitor him to make sure he doesn't relapse. Dr. O says he is responding to the treatment well and doesn't think that will happen. We may be able to say good bye to his very first illness.

On a different topic ... Grandma Rex flew in this afternoon and will be staying with us for about a week and a half. Hopefully Tyler is all better and we can have some fun.

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Today (10/12), we had to drive daddy into work. The GTI is getting its 80k mile service. We took Gma Rex to the Korean video store and went to check out Babies R Us. Tyler got a bunch of things. Thanks Gma Rex!

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Tyler still wasn't himself by Saturday (10/13), so we took him to the doctor again. The ear infection is clearing up nicely, but the cold that started it is still lingering around. His stomach is always making crazy noises and he started to spit up a little again and has diarrhea. Dr O gave him a benadryl shot to help with the spitting and we had to get pedialyte (baby gatorade) to help with the diarrhea. Hopefully this all works. Next appointment is Wednesday, 10/17.

Bye Bye Grandma Jenny

Grandma Jenny left for Hawaii this morning. :( Tyler had a lot of fun with her and will miss her lots. She bought him lots of things and had a special way of holding him upright that would almost instantly make him stop crying. (mommy is not so good at it yet) Tyler hopes she will come back and visit him again. Now mommy will have to do her own laundry and cook food ... on top of changing, feeding, pumping, trying to nap, and once in a while entertaining the dogs. Is that even possible?!?!

Anyway ... mommy will only get to see how she does with Tyler all by herself for the next 2 days since Grandma Rex will be flying in on Thursday for a visit. Mommy is a bit nervous, but daddy assures her she will do just fine. :)

Wicket's Birthday Party

Tyler went on his first house visit to the Murakami's for Wicket's (our 4 legged Shih Tzu friend) 1st birthday party. Tyler has been a little fussy lately so we fed him before we left so he would sleep. Worked like a charm! As usual, he woke up to eat and I believe we did 2 diaper changes. Aunty Vicky even did ONE of them! Who would have thought. Uncle Clay was a bit smarter and just carried Tyler for a while. I wonder if it was enough to entice them to have another one. Haylie (their daughter) is already 1 and could use a playmate soon. :P

As for the "dog" part of the dog party. Hoku and Koa had lots of fun playing with Wicket, Tootsie, and PePe. Koa played fetch and Hoku enjoyed the pool. The dogs even had a special doggie cake, in which Hoku stole Wicket's! She loves food, who can blame her. Us 2 legged peeps ate some local food cooked up by the parents. ONO-licious!

1 month old

It's really hard to believe that Tyler is already 1 month old. In such a short time he has brought so much joy to our lives. :)

He still eats about 8 times a day, but now takes a little more milk (almost 2 1/2 ounces) at each feeding. I am a little sad that he is no longer latching on well to the bare breast anymore. He pretty much refuses it and pushes it away. It breaks my heart! He'll take it with the shield on, but will typically fall asleep half way through and when I try to lay him down to sleep he'll wake up and cry and still be hungry. By this time I'm usually pretty frustrated, so I just offer him some milk via bottle. I'd really like to be able to breastfeed, but it seems him just might not like it. I'm still trying for now and will probably schedule an appointment with a lactation specialist to see what more I can do if anything.

Tyler stays awake for longer periods of time now. Instead of instantly falling asleep after eating, there now seems to be a 50/50% chance he'll stay up. He likes to look around at shadows and light. His eyes will follow voices. He has started to flares his arms and kicks his legs a lot more and has even started to stick his tongue out once in a while. He likes to sit in his rocker with the vibration mode on and we've recently started putting him in a swing, which he also seems to like.

It is now apparent that he doesn't really enjoy bath time yet unless you catch him in a very very good mood. And he like most babies doesn't like diaper change time. :P

Shopping, shopping and more shopping!

What a guy! Tyler has been such a good sport and has been doing a lot of shopping with mommy and Grandma Jenny. In the past couple of weeks he has been to Oak Ridge Mall, Valley Fair Mall, Westgate Mall, The Great Mall, Stanford Mall ... just to name a few. He just loves being pushed in his stroller. For the most part, he is sleeping ... but when he is awake he doesn't usually fuss much, unless its time for him to eat.

Everyone who sees him says how cute he is! Such a stud already! I still am not sure whose features he has ... but the combination works. He is adorable. I just love watching him. He'll make random faces on a whim, its very very cute.

I'm still working on getting more pictures when he is smiling or even when he is wide awake and actually looking at the camera. It's harder than one would think. :P (hence the lack of pictures lately)